The Lottery is fun. Entertaining. Exciting. So naturally people want to know about us. Here, you'll find answers to some of the most popular questions we've gotten.

Click on your area of interest or scroll down to read everything.

How do schools benefit from the Lottery?
Lottery revenue is distributed annually to school districts from the dedicated Lottery fund held by the State Comptroller.    Click here to see where the money goes.

How do I claim a Lottery prize?
Prizes up to and including $600 may be claimed at any licensed New York Lottery retail location statewide.  Retailers are authorized to pay prizes on winning draw game tickets, including Take Five free play tickets, within 45 days after the drawing.  Winning draw game tickets presented after 45 days may be cashed at one of the Lottery's 15 Regional Customer Service Centers statewide.  Prizes on all draw tickets expire after one year from the date of the drawing.  Prizes of $601 or more must be claimed at one of the Lottery's 15 Regional Customer Service Centers statewide (click here for a complete list).  RegionalCustomer Service Centers are authorized to pay all prizes up to and including $500,000.  Winning tickets for all amounts may also be mailed to New York Lottery, PO Box 7533, Schenectady, NY, 12301-7533.  Be sure to sign the back of your winning ticket.  Click here to visit the “Claim Your Prize” section.  

Where can I find a claim center?
Easy! For a list, click here.

Why don't retailers pay when I have a winning ticket?
All Lottery retailers are required to pay on a winning ticket, except when the prize is over $600 or the winning ticket is more than 45 days old.  In such cases, prizes must be claimed at any of our 15 conveniently located Regional Customer Service Centers.  Click here for Regional Customer Service Center locations.   Winning tickets for all amounts may also be mailed to New York Lottery, PO Box 7533, Schenectady, New York  12301-7533.  Be sure to sign the back of your winning ticket.  If you experience any difficulty with a retailer not offering you a check or cash payment for your prize, please contact us.

How can I tell that my instant ticket is a winning ticket?
Each Instant ticket has features that help to identify whether it is a winning ticket.  In addition to the number and/or symbols used for game play, each has a caption printed under it with either the spelling of the number or an abbreviation of the number.  Both the number and caption must match to identify a winning ticket and the validation codes on the ticket must match the Lottery’s computer records for the game.  To see an example of the play symbols and captions click here.

Can I still claim an Instant Prize if the Instant Game is no longer available for sale?
Instant prizes can be claimed up to one year from the announced end of the game. Click here for more information. You can also ask your retailer for redemption dates, or you may contact us to inquire about the games of interest to you.

Will any money be withheld from my prize?
Federal, state, and local income taxes are withheld from prizes over $5,000 or from prizes over $600 when the winner does not provide a social security or tax identification number when claiming the prize. Withholding varies according to the winner’s place of residence.

If applicable, Public Assistance/Past due Child Support offsets may be withheld.

Will past due Child Support and Public Assistance be withheld from my prize?
If you are identified by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) as owing past due child support and/or having received public assistance in the last 10 years, the Lottery is required by law to withhold money from your Lottery prize of $600 or more.

How can I contest past due Child Support/Public Assistance offsets withheld from my prize?
At the time you claim your prize and the money is withheld, you will receive a flyer that includes brief instructions on how to contest the withholding of your money. If you believe money for past due child support was withheld in error, please contact your county Child Support Enforcement representative.   If you believe money for public assistance was withheld in error, you may call the toll free number at 866-447-4844 or write to New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Public Assistance Unit, PO Box 22078, Albany, NY 11201-2078. Once OTDA receives the funds the following month, a representative will contact you with additional information concerning the seizure of the money. This may take up to 6 weeks.

Do senior citizens have to pay taxes on Lottery prizes?
The Lottery is required to report any prize over $600 and to withhold applicable taxes from prizes over $5,000, regardless of the winner's age.

How long do I have to claim a winning ticket?
All cash prize-winning tickets must be redeemed within one year from the date of the drawing.  Take Five Free Play tickets must be redeemed within 45 days from the date of drawing.

What are the tax implications for winning a Lottery prize?
There are potential tax implications when you win a prize.  For more information on tax liabilities, click here.

If I win a lottery prize and I don't live in New York, will you withhold New York State taxes from my prize?
The New York Lottery is required by law to withhold New York State taxes from prizes over $5,000, regardless of the winner's place of residence. Click here for more information.

Now that I'm a jackpot winner, what should I do?
Winning a jackpot can be a life-changing moment, and there will be a lot of big decisions for you and your family. Our Winners' Handbook is designed to help you with some of the questions you may have. Click here to view the handbook.

Can I claim a cash prize without a ticket?
Generally, you must have a winning Lottery ticket in order for us to validate and award your prize.

When I win the jackpot prize in LOTTO or Mega Millions, how long before I get my first prize check?
Once your claim has been accepted by Lottery, you should receive your check within 4-6 weeks.

What payment options do I have for receiving a jackpot prize if I win?
A player must choose between two jackpot payment options at the time they purchase their Lotto, Lotto Extra, or Mega Millions ticket. These two options are "26 Annual Payments" or "Lump Sum Cash Value."

If you choose "26 Annual Payments", you will receive your prize in 26 payments over 25 years. For the Lotto and Lotto Extra games, annual payments will be graduated payments, increasing in value each year. For the Mega Millions game, annual payments are the same each year.

If you choose to receive your payment in one "Lump Sum Cash Value" payment, you will receive the estimated present cash value of the advertised jackpot amount. This amount will be less than the advertised jackpot.

If you win a jackpot prize on any of our current instant games, your payments could be paid annually or quarterly.  Payments are determined by the prize structure of the game.

Is the "Lump Sum" option available for the Instant games?
No. 

What other states sell Mega Millions tickets?
There are currently twelve (12) states that sell Mega Millions tickets. Click here to find out more about the Mega Millions game.

How do I get the winning numbers for the past year?
Past winning numbers are available on our Web site www.nylottery.org. Players may also obtain a copy by calling 518-388-3415 or by writing to: New York Lottery, One Broadway Center, P.O. Box 7500, Schenectady, NY 12301-7500.

What have the previous year's earnings been?
For a copy of our most recent Annual Report, click here.

How can I contact the New York Lottery?
You can contact the Lottery by calling your local Regional Office. Click here for a list of offices or email us.

Why are there no drawings on Christmas Day?
While it may appear that the Lottery takes a day off on December 25th, our retail operations and computer operations are still very much at work. The decision to suspend drawings for one day was, and still is, a practical one. In order to air the drawings, the support of not only Lottery staff, but a variety of external organizations are needed as well (e.g. the camera operators, production team, broadcast stations and satellite uplink facilities, independent auditors, etc.). While the Lottery may be able to require staff to work on this day, we do not have control over the other organizations that are critical to the production and broadcast of our daily drawings.

How can I obtain all the drawing results for particular Lottery games?
Past winning numbers for most of our Lottery draw games for the past 5 years are available on our Web site www.nylottery.org.  Players may also obtain historical results by calling 518-388-3415 or by writing to: New York Lottery, One Broadway Center, P.O. Box 7500, Schenectady, NY 12301-7500.

How often are the ballsets changed?
For Lotto, three sets of ballsets are changed every three months.

For Take Five and Pick 10 there are also three ballsets and they are changed every two months.

Numbers and Win 4 ballsets are changed every month (both the midday and evening sets).  For information about the Mega Millions ballsets and drawings, visit the official Mega Millions site at: www.megamillions.com

How can I be sure that the drawings are fair and random and not fixed?
The Lottery adheres to an elaborate regimen for each and every Lottery drawing with strict policies and detailed checks and balances. The drawing process is videotaped and each component is observed by an independent auditor to ensure the absolute integrity of each drawing and that each drawing is completely fair and random. If you are interested in attending a live lottery drawing, you can contact the Lottery’s Press & Community Relations office 518-388-3415 to make the arrangements to view the drawings from our studios in Schenectady.

How does the Lottery set the LOTTO jackpots?
The estimation of Lotto jackpots is based upon projected sales. Sales are estimated based upon recent historic trends, weather, competing jackpots and the amount to which potential players are distracted by current events. Once sales are estimated, the jackpot is set using a formula regarding how much of each sales dollar goes to the jackpot. This amount of cash is then multiplied by a factor to estimate the announced jackpot annuity value.

The jackpot factor is based on the market for 100% U.S. government guaranteed treasury securities. The factor takes into consideration the amount of each scheduled annual payment and the expected interest earned on funds to support those payments. The expected interest rates are estimated before the drawing. Real-time market information (based upon quotes from several brokers) from the first working day after the drawing is used to set the particular drawing’s factor.

How does the Lottery set the jackpots for the Mega Millions multi-state game?
The estimation of Mega Millions jackpots is based using projected sales. Sales are estimated by a Finance Committee consisting of Finance personnel from each Mega Millions state. The committee bases its estimate upon recent historic trends, weather, competing jackpots and the amount to which potential players are distracted by current events. Once sales are estimated, the jackpot is set using a formula regarding how much of each sales dollar goes to the jackpot. This amount of cash is then multiplied by a factor to estimate the announced jackpot annuity value. The Directors of the Mega Millions states have the final decision on setting jackpot levels.

The jackpot factor is based on the market for 100% U.S. government guaranteed treasury securities. The factor takes into consideration the amount of each scheduled annual payment and the expected interest earned on funds to support those payments. The expected interest rates are estimated before the drawing using real-time market information.

What Lottery games are available by subscription?
The Lottery now offers 2 games by subscription. Lotto or Lotto Extra with drawings held twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Mega Millions with drawings held twice a week on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Click  here, to subscribe to Lotto or Mega Millions through our website using a credit card. You can subscribe to any of our subscription games by downloading an application and mailing it to the address on the application.

How do I play LOTTO by mail?
Simply fill out a subscription form with the appropriate fees and send it in. Click here for a LOTTO Subscription Application. You can also subscribe online. Click here for Online LOTTO Subscription.

What is a subscription confirmation? 
A subscription confirmation is an official receipt for the purchase of a subscription. When a subscription application is processed, the subscriber is sent a confirmation letter indicating the effective date or the date their subscription starts and the expiration date, the last date or drawing that their subscription is active. The confirmation also includes the numbers the subscriber has chosen to play and other information concerning the payments of any prizes.

Applicants should receive a confirmation email on the next business day when subscribing through the Lottery website using a credit card. An application received through the mail may take up to 15 working days to process. Applicants should not assume their subscription has been processed until they receive confirmation.

How do I receive my confirmation?
A subscriber, who purchases a subscription with a credit card on the Lottery website, will receive a confirmation via email from subscriptions@nylottery.org. Please make sure that your email settings accept email from subscriptions@nylottery.org to enusre that you receive your electronic confirmation and your computer recognizes it as legitimate email and not SPAM.

Subscribers, who purchase their subscriptions by mail, will continue to receive their confirmation by mail.

Can I change my numbers on a subscription?
No. The subscription program is designed for subscribers to play the same set of numbers in every drawing for the plan they chose, either 26 weeks or 52 weeks. Subscribers will have the opportunity to change their numbers at the time of renewal.

Does the Lottery offer any other games by subscription?
Yes, we currently offer Mega Millions by mail. Click here for a Mega Millions Subscription Application. You can also subscribe online. Click here for Online Mega Millions Subscription.

How are subscription prizes paid?
Subscribers who win the jackpot prize will be notified by a Lottery representative who will make arrangements for a required press conference where they will receive payment (part or lump sum) of their prize. All other 'high-tier' prizes are mailed to subscribers automatically the week after they win.

Lotto subscribers automatically receive credit for all fifth level prizes of $1.00
Lotto Extra subscribers also receive credit for low-tier prizes of $4.00 or less

Mega Millions subscribers have the option to choose to have their low-tier prizes of $10 or less automatically credited to their subscription or to receive these prize checks in the mail. Subscribers must indicate their low-tier prize payment option when they complete their subscription application. Subscribers who choose to renew will have the cost of their renewal subscription reduced by the amount of their credits. If a subscriber chooses not to renew, a prize check will be mailed to them for the value of any outstanding credits after the subscription expires.
  

Since Mega Millions is a multi-state game, can I subscribe if I live in another state?
You must have a New York State mailing address.

United States Postal Regulations prohibit the sale of any Lottery products by mail across state lines. Additional laws prohibit using phone lines or the Internet to purchase Lottery products from outside of New York State.
  

Can I purchase several subscriptions for Mega Million and Lotto?
Yes. A subscriber can purchase a maximum of ten subscriptions each for the Mega Millions and Lotto when using a credit card.  This credit limit applies for a 1-year period.
  

Can I play subscription with a group?
Yes, group subscriptions are ideal for extended families, co-workers and friends. Groups of players can share the cost of a subscription and share prize winnings when they win.  Groups can play with 2 to 10 members. The group respresentative must provide a mailing address within New York State.
  

What is a "group representative" and what is their responsibility?
Each group chooses one of its members to act as the group representative.  This member is responsible for completing the group application and providing the names, addresses, and residency information of each group member to the Lottery.  The Lottery sends the group confirmation, prize winnings of $600 or less, and renewal invitations to the group representative.  It is the responsibility of the group representative to split these winnings among the members of the group.

Prizes over $600 must be reported to Federal and State tax agencies, therefore the Lottery splits these prizes and mails individual prize checks to each group member using the most current list of members provided by the group representative.  It is important for the group representative to review and update the group member information at the time of renewal.  Failure to complete this section on the renewal could delay the payment of prizes to group members.  The Lottery is not responsible for disputes between or among group members.
 

What is a Gift subscription?
A gift subscription can be purchased for someone who can provide a New York mailing address.  The gift purchaser must be age 18 or older and make the purchase from a computer physically located within New York State or by mailing an application from within the state.

The purchaser of the gift can choose Quick Pick for random computer generated numbers that will remain in effect for the duration of the subscription.

It is not necessary to complete the subscriber social security information if that information is not available to the gift purchaser.  The gift purchaser should not provide their own social security number on the application.

When purchasing a gift from the Lottery website, the gift recipient will receive confirmation via email on the next business day.  If the intent of the gift purchaser is to delay notification of the gift until a certain future date, the purchaser should provide their own email address instead of the gift recipients email address when completing the application on the Lottery website.  In such a case it would be the responsibility of the gift purchaser to present the confirmation to the gift recipient at the appropriate time.

Gift applications received through the mail take approximately 15 business days to process.

What is Lotto Extra?
The Lottery draws an EXTRA bonus number in each Lotto drawing.  Lotto EXTRA players can use the Bonus Number OR the EXTRA Bonus number to win additional prizes.  By doubling your Lotto wager to play Lotto EXTRA, you get a total of 8 (eight) prize levels.  Lotto Extra subscribers win prizes by matching 2, 3, 4, or 5 numbers plus either bonus number.  The bonus numbers are not used to determine the jackpot prize.
  

How can a Lotto subscriber play Lotto Extra?
A Lotto subscriber chooses to play Lotto Extra by wagering an additional $1.00 for each game per drawing.  Lotto Extra is currently available only to "play by mail" subscribers.

When you renew your Lotto subscription by mail, you can upgrade it to Lotto Extra by simply checking the box for Lotto Extra and doubling your wager.  Your Lotto Extra subscription will begin with the first drawing of your renewal.

Lotto subscribers can also purchase a new Lotto Extra subscription by downloading (print) an application from the Lottery website.
  

Can I apply for a New York Lottery LOTTO subscription if I live outside New York?
Yes, New York State residency is not required. To subscribe, the applicant must be physically located within New York State at the time of purchase. Further, the applicant must provide a mailing address within New York State since Federal Law prohibits mailing a Lottery confirmation across state lines.

What is the difference between the two jackpot payment options and do I have to choose an option at the time I purchase my Lotto or Mega Millions ticket or a Lotto subscription?
When purchasing a Lotto or Mega Millions ticket, you must choose a jackpot payment option at the time of purchase. If you do not choose an option, the playcard will reject and the retailer will return your playcard to you to choose one. If you do not choose an option when subscribing, you will automatically receive the “Lump Sum Cash Value” option.  If you would like to receive your jackpot prize in one lump sum payment, you should choose the “Lump Sum Cash Value” option. Please note if you choose this option, you will receive the estimated present cash value of the advertised jackpot amount. This amount will be less than the advertised jackpot. If you would like to receive annual payments, you should choose the “26 Annual Payments” option. You will receive an initial payment at your press conference and then an annual payment for the next 25 years. If you win Lotto, those prize payments will be graduated payments, increasing in amount each year. If you win Mega Millions, your prize payment amount will remain the same each year.

How does Lucky Sum work?
Lucky Sum is an add-on feature to the Lottery's Number's and Win 4 games. Click here for more information.

How does Lotto Extra work?
Like in Lotto, you choose six numbers from 1 through 59.  The Lottery draws eight numbers.  Extra players get to use either the bonus number or the Extra number to match against their selections to win.  The odds of Lotto Extra are better than regular Lotto and the cost is $2.00 for two plays.
 

What is the current LOTTO jackpot?
For the next LOTTO jackpot, click here.

Why do some retailers continue to sell an Instant game ticket even after the last top prize for that game has been claimed?
The New York Lottery maintains a strict policy to recall and replace all outstanding instant tickets as soon as the final top prize in any particular game has been claimed. There is a disclaimer on the back of all of instant tickets to let our customers know that there may be the possibility that the retailer has not yet replaced the tickets. If you find a retailer that continues to sell an instant game ticket after the last top prize has been claimed, we'd like to know about it so we can notify the store and replace the tickets as soon as possible.  For more information on top prizes on Instant Games,  click here.
  

Which instant game has the best payouts?
Generally, instant games pay out at nearly 65%, however, most games $10 and above pay out at nearly 75%.

How can I get a job with the Lottery?
Since the New York Lottery is an agency of the State of New York, employees are members of the civil service system and are hired from employment lists after state civil service exams are held. Click here for more information.

What is JavaScript? What browsers support JavaScript?
JavaScript is an interpreted scripting language developed by Netscape. It has since been adapted to work in many other browsers. Here are the minimum browser versions that support JavaScript:

Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 3.x (Mac and PC)
Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 4.x (Unix)
Netscape Navigator Version 3.x (Mac, Unix and PC)
Opera Version 3.5 (PC only)
WebTV  

Why does a new browser window open when I click on a link?
This is a feature of the site allowing the user to view related content without being taken away from the New York Lottery site completely.

What is a PDF?
Adobe PDF is a universal file format that preserves all the fonts, formatting, graphics and color of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it (from adobe.com).   

How can I empty my computer's cache?
Internet Explorer Version 7/8:
On the Menu Bar, choose Tools.  Select Internet Options. Under the General tab is a section called Temporary Internet Files. Click the button that says Delete Files. You're finished. (It's also a good idea to Clear History from time to time as well. To do that, click on the Clear History button.)

Firefox Version 2/3:
On the Menu Bar, choose Tools.  Select Clear Private Data.  Then mark the checkbox next to Cache.  Then press Clear Private Data Now.

What is Windows Media Player?
Microsoft® Windows Media™ Player 11 is an all-in-one, easy-to-use player that allows you to download and play back high-quality Windows Media audio and video content.

How do I become a Lottery Retailer?
Complete and send in a retailer application. To download a form (for new and first-time retailer applicants only), click here. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the form.  To download that software, click here. To have a form mailed to you please call 518-388-3578 or contact us. All applications are reviewed by regional Lottery staff to determine the feasibility of a proposed retail location. For more information regarding the license application process, please contact one of our regional Claim Centers or contact us.

How long does it take to become a retailer? 
Within 60 days for the entire license approval process to be completed. Once the application is approved, the installation of the terminals may begin.

How many Lottery retailers are allowed in any one neighborhood?
Retailer locations are licensed based on the projected amount of sales which can be achieved at any given location. If there are too many retailers close together and no additional revenue can be realistically expected, a request for a terminal may be denied. For further information regarding licensing rules, please contact one of our regional offices. Or contact us.

Do retailers get extra commission for selling a winning ticket?
THE $25,000 retailer bonus for selling a jackpot winning Mega Millions or LOTTO ticket ended on May 15, 2003, as scheduled. As of May 16 2003, New York Lottery retailers who sell a jackpot winning Mega Millions ticket will be eligible to receive a $10,000 bonus. Retailers selling a jackpot-winning LOTTO ticket will be eligible to participate in special retail promotions and other events designed to recognize their winning efforts.