The Luckiest Places to Buy a Lottery Ticket in The State of New York

Based on historic jackpot sales, current lucky streaks, and high-volume payouts, here are the "luckiest" places to try your fortune in the Empire State.

The State Record Holders: NYC & Long Island

New York's most significant wins are often found in the metropolitan area, creating instant legends out of humble neighborhood stores.

• The All-Time Champion: Liberty Beer & Convenience Location: Queens (Liberty Avenue)

  • The Luck Factor: This store sold the single winning ticket for the state's current record Mega Millions jackpot: a massive $476 million prize claimed in 2023. The win instantly immortalized this Queens deli as the most famous lottery retailer in New York history.

    
    
    

• The Office Pool Miracle: Brookville Auto Service Location: Glen Head (Nassau County, Long Island)

  • The Luck Factor: This auto service center sold the $437 million Mega Ball ticket in 2019, which was claimed by a large group of Long Island coworkers. Auto shops and service stations frequently appear on the lucky lists because they are high-traffic stops.

    
    
    

• The City Legend: West Harlem Deli Location: Harlem, Manhattan (Fifth Avenue)

  • The Luck Factor: This deli sold the $343.8 million Powerball ticket in 2018. It reinforces the notion that in New York City, any small corner store can hold a jackpot big enough to change multiple lives.

The Upstate Powerhouse: Stewart's Shops

Location: Central New York, Capital Region, and Hudson Valley

Outside of the five boroughs, the Stewart's Shops chain is synonymous with lottery luck. As the region's dominant convenience store, it has unmatched sales volume and payout records.

• The Luck Factor: Stewart's consistently sells tickets worth over $1 million, often recording multiple six-figure winners in a single draw. In 2023 alone, the chain was responsible for over $139 million in winning tickets, proving it's the most statistically reliable spot for Upstate players.
• Best For: Residents across the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, and Northern New York looking for a quick pick for any draw game.

The Hot Streak Hall of Fame

Some stores are lucky; others have a spectacular run that defies explanation, cementing their "hot streak" status.

• Smokes for Less (Newburgh): This store gained notoriety for selling six different "Big Money" winning tickets—including a $1 million Mega Millions ticket—in a single month, earning it the reputation as the luckiest spot in the Hudson Valley.
• The Triple Win Store (Yonkers): A Yonkers convenience store once achieved the rare feat of selling three different $1 million Powerball tickets in the same drawing, confirming that sometimes, all the luck is concentrated in one small spot.
• Tops Markets (Western New York): The Tops grocery chain frequently appears on the lists of stores selling the most winning tickets (over $5,000) in the Buffalo and Rochester areas, making it the lucky spot for Western New York shoppers.

The Volume Kings

For those who rely on statistics, the chains that sell the highest volume of tickets are your best bet:

• 7-Eleven: A perennial lottery giant, 7-Eleven locations across the state consistently produce millions of dollars in total prize payouts.
• Wegmans: This popular grocery chain in the Rochester area and parts of Upstate NY sees massive weekly traffic, translating into a considerable volume of Powerball and Mega Millions tickets sold.

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In New York, whether you're in a crowded city deli or a quiet Upstate convenience shop, the potential for a life-altering win is immense. Just remember to check your numbers!