ANNAPOLIS, MD — As National Lottery Day approaches, VegasInsider’s analysis of Powerball draws since 1997 and Mega Millions draws since 2010 has uncovered the most frequently drawn lottery numbers, offering players a glimpse into historical trends. While these patterns don’t guarantee wins, they provide an engaging perspective for lottery enthusiasts in Maryland and beyond.
Powerball’s Most Frequent Numbers
In Powerball, the luckiest number is 20, drawn 391 times since 1997, followed by 23 (371 times), 14 (370 times), and 2 (364 times). The top 10 most frequently drawn lottery numbers include 21, 19, 5, 9, 12, and 16, with frequencies ranging from 363 to 358. These numbers reflect historical activity across thousands of draws but offer no predictive advantage.
Mega Millions’ Top Numbers
For Mega Millions, number 11 tops the list, appearing 216 times since 2010, followed by 10 (215 times), 3 (211 times), and a tie between 4 and 14 (196 times each). Other notable numbers include 9, 20, 15, 2, and 6, with frequencies from 194 to 190. These are among the most frequently drawn lottery numbers, sparking interest among players.
The “Best” Ticket Combinations
For those crafting a ticket based on frequency, the “best” Powerball combination includes white balls 1, 15, 26, 39, 49, and Powerball 20, with appearance counts ranging from 248 to 111. For Mega Millions, the ideal ticket features white balls 15, 3, 31, 46, 66, and Mega Ball 9, with frequencies from 128 to 59. Numbers 20 and 22 in Mega Millions are also notable, each drawn 58 times for white ball 1.
“Think of this as a scorecard, not a strategy,” said VegasInsider. “While these patterns are fun to analyze, they don’t increase your chance of winning. Every draw is a clean slate, and the odds remain the same.”
Lottery’s Appeal in Maryland
The Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries, with jackpots often exceeding hundreds of millions, captivate players nationwide. Maryland, a participant in both games, sees significant engagement, with tickets available at local retailers. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, while Mega Millions odds are 1 in 302.6 million, making every draw a game of chance. Analyzing the most frequently drawn lottery numbers adds excitement for players.
Historical Context and Data
Since 1997, Powerball’s number pool has evolved, with the current format (1-69 for white balls, 1-26 for Powerball) set in 2015. Mega Millions shifted to 1-70 for white balls and 1-24 for the Mega Ball in April 2025. These changes influence frequency data, which VegasInsider sourced from official lottery websites up to July 7, 2025.
For Marylanders, the allure of the most frequently drawn lottery numbers lies in their historical significance, not predictive power. As National Lottery Day nears, players can explore these trends while remembering that each draw is random, offering equal chances for all combinations.
