Can I make dua to win the lottery?

No, you shouldn't make dua to win the lottery. The lottery is a form of gambling, which Islam forbids, and a dua for something sinful isn't accepted. But you can absolutely ask Allah for money, security and a way out of debt through halal means.

Why the lottery is a problem

Most scholars count the lottery as maysir (gambling): many people pay in, and a few win the money everyone else lost. The Quran calls gambling "defilement from the work of Satan" and tells believers to avoid it. Buying the ticket is already the issue, so asking Allah to make it pay off is asking Him to bless something He has forbidden. See Can I still buy lottery tickets as a Muslim?

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَـٰمُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ "O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful." Quran 5:90

Dua for something haram isn't answered

The Prophet ﷺ said a servant's dua keeps being answered as long as he doesn't ask for something sinful or for cutting family ties, and as long as he isn't impatient (Sahih Muslim 2735). A dua to win a jackpot falls into the first category. He also taught that Allah is Good and accepts only what is good (Sahih Muslim 1015). It's a reminder that how we earn our money matters to Him, not just how much we have.

What you can ask for instead

Islam has no problem with wanting money. You can ask Allah for:

A good, halal job or a pay rise.
Relief from debt and financial stress.
Barakah (blessing) in what you already earn.
Success in a business or side project.

The Prophet ﷺ himself often sought refuge in Allah from the burden of debt. See Can I make dua for worldly things like a job or a car?

What about prize draws and raffles?

Not every prize is gambling. A free competition where you don't pay to enter, or a reward you earn by skill, is generally fine, and you can make dua about it like anything else. The problem is paying money for a chance to win other people's money. If you're unsure whether a specific raffle counts, ask a local scholar before entering.

If money worries are keeping you up

Many people play the lottery because they feel stuck. If that's you, make sincere dua, especially at the times when dua is most likely to be accepted, and take practical steps too: a budget, a debt advice charity, or a second income. Allah sends provision through effort. See What are the best times to make dua?

Key points

The lottery is gambling, which the Quran forbids.
Dua for something sinful isn't accepted.
You can and should ask Allah for halal wealth and relief from debt.
Free competitions with no paid entry are a different case.

Tip: Take the money you'd spend on tickets each week and put it into a savings pot or sadaqah jar. Then make dua for barakah in it. It's the only "lottery" with a guaranteed return.