If you’re radically dreaming of hitting it big with the Powerball lotto, you might want to book a one-way ticket to a few select states across America.
A new study conducted by CSDB, a video game-focused company that runs probability studies, has crowned the tiny state as the luckiest in America when it comes to Powerball wins per capita.
The study shows that Rhode Island leads the nation with an impressive 38.39 wins per 100,000 residents: nearly eight times higher than the national average. Since 1992, Rhode Island’s 1.1 million residents have accumulated 427 wins worth almost $1.9 billion (adjusted for inflation).
Not bad for a state smaller than many Texas counties.
Following close behind, in terms of lottery wins per capita, are West Virginia and Delaware, with 27.29 and about 27 flat wins per 100,000 residents. Both states have total populations under two million, yet have claimed hundreds of Powerball prizes totaling billions of dollars.
New Hampshire and Indiana round out the top five of Powerball wins per capita, showing a potential eye-opening trend: smaller, often overlooked states are surprisingly outperforming their larger neighbors when it comes to big lotto wins.
In contrast, the Lone Star State didn’t fare so well in terms of Powerball wins per capita.
Texas ranked near the bottom, with just 0.88 wins per 100,000 residents, despite its massive population of more than 31 million residents. While Texas players have still pocketed over $720 million in total winnings, the per-person odds have been far less favorable than in smaller states.
Mississippi landed dead last in the ranking, with only 0.07 wins per 100,000 residents. Washington, Wyoming, and California also ranked among the bottom five states for wins across America.
The study analyzed Powerball data from 1992 to mid-2025, taking into account major wins (matching five white balls, with or without the Power Play, or hitting the full jackpot) and adjusting prize amounts for inflation over time.
Corey Sims, Head of Content at CSDB, stated that regional differences extend beyond mere luck.
“The regional gaps in Powerball wins are striking, with smaller states in the Northeast consistently outperforming larger states in terms of wins per capita. This doesn’t mean the lottery is rigged, it simply highlights that ticket-buying habits vary significantly across regions and that win rates are likely influenced by the year each state began participating in the Powerball,” Sims said.
“When you look at the raw numbers, California leads with over $10 billion in total winnings, but its per-capita rate ranks among the lowest. Players in states like Rhode Island are statistically more likely to win, which might interest lottery fans planning their 2025 ticket purchases,” he added.