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.

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.

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).  Regional Customer Service Centers are authorized to pay all prizes up to and including $500,000.  Prizes over $500,000, including jackpot prizes, must be claimed at a one of the Lottery’s Customer Service Centers but will be sent to the Prize Payment Unit in Schenectady for payment. 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 Customer Service Center?
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.

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.

When I win a jackpot prize, when will I receive my prize?
Once your prize claim has been approved by the Lottery, and the Lottery’s Press and Community Relations Office completes your media announcement, your lump sum or initial payment will be electronically transmitted to the bank account of your choice.  This process will be explained to you in detail at the time you claim your prize.

What payment options are available if I win a jackpot prize?
 If you win an Instant jackpot prize, the payment of the jackpot is determined by the prize structure of the game.  The payment structure for a jackpot prize is stated on the back of each ticket. For instance, a prize of $1 million is paid in 20 annual payments of $50,000. Annual payments will be made around the anniversary of your original claim.

Sweet Million jackpot prizes are paid in one lump sum payment. You will receive the net (after tax withholdings) of $1,000,000.

There are two jackpot payment options available if you win a Lotto or Mega Millions jackpot prize. A player must choose between two jackpot payment options at the time he or she purchases his or her 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 annual payments over 25 years around the anniversary of your win. For the Lotto game, 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.

Is the "Lump Sum" jackpot option available for Instant jackpot games?
Currently, the only Instant game with a ‘Lump sum’ payment for a jackpot prize is our “$1,000,000 Cashword” Instant game.  

What happens to my remaining jackpot payments if I die before I receive all of my payments?
According to New York State Tax Law Section 1613, the Lottery may make payments to the original prize winner, the estate of a deceased prize winner or whoever the Lottery is ordered to pay pursuant to an appropriate judicial order.   Lottery payments will not be accelerated upon a prize winner’s death.

What other states sell Mega Millions tickets?
There are currently twelve (12) states that sell Mega Millions tickets (Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington and California). Click here to find out more about the Mega Millions game.

Mega Millions tickets will soon be sold in other states and Powerball tickets will soon be sold in New York.

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 offers 2 games by subscription. You can purchase a subscription for Lotto and/or Mega Millions. Click here to subscribe to Lotto or Mega Millions through our website using a credit card. You can also subscribe by downloading an application and mailing it to the address on the application.

How do I play LOTTO or MEGA MILLIONS by mail?
Simply fill out a subscription application, include a check or money order for the appropriate amount for the plan you choose and mail it to the address on the application. Click here for a LOTTO Subscription application or here for a MEGA MILLIONS 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 approved, the subscriber is sent a confirmation letter or electronic message indicating the effective date or the date his or her subscription starts and the expiration date, and the last date or drawing that his or her subscription is active. The confirmation also includes the numbers the subscriber has chosen to play and other information concerning the payments of any prizes.

An applicant 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. An applicant should not assume his or her subscription has been approved until he or she receives confirmation.

How do I receive my confirmation?
A subscriber who purchases a subscription with a credit card on the Lottery website, will receive an email confirmation from subscriptions@nylottery.org. Please be sure your email settings allow email from this address to ensure your email confirmation does not go to your SPAM folder. A subscriber who purchases his or her subscription by mail will receive his or her confirmation by mail.

Can I change my numbers during the length of my subscription?
No. The subscription program is designed for a subscriber to play the same set of numbers in every drawing for the length of the plan he or she chooses. A subscriber will have the opportunity to change his or her numbers at the time of renewal.

How are subscription prizes paid?
A subscriber who wins the jackpot prize will be notified by a Lottery representative who will make arrangements for a required media event where he or she will receive payment (part or lump sum) of his or her prize. All other 'high-tier' prizes are mailed to a subscriber automatically the week after he or she wins.

A Lotto subscriber automatically receives credit for all fifth level prizes of $1.00.  A Lotto Extra subscriber also receives credit for low-tier prizes of $4.00 or less.

A Mega Millions subscriber has the option to choose to have his or her ‘low-tier’ prizes of $10 or less automatically credited to his or her subscription or to receive these prize checks in the mail. A subscriber must indicate his or her ‘low-tier’ prize payment option when he or she completes the subscription application.

A subscriber who chooses to renew will have the cost of his or her renewal subscription reduced by the amount of his or her credits. If a subscriber chooses not to renew, a prize check will be mailed to him or her 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 or apply for an online subscription from a computer located within New York State.

The Lottery cannot mail renewals or confirmation notices out of state.  Prize checks can be mailed across state lines. 

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

Can I play by subscription with a group?
Yes, group subscriptions are ideal for families, co-workers and friends. Groups of players can share the cost of a subscription and share prizes when they win. Groups can play with 2 to 10 members. The group representative must provide a New York mailing address.  Group subscriptions are not currently accepted online.
  

What is a "group representative" and what is his or her 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.  The Lottery sends the group confirmation, prizes of $600 or less, and renewal applications to the group representative.  It is the responsibility of the group representative to split prizes 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 or can access the gift subscription from a computer physically located within New York State.  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 to the Lottery.

It is not necessary to provide the gift recipient’s social security number if it is not available to the gift purchaser.  The gift purchaser should not provide his or her own social security number on the application.

When a gift subscription is purchased from the Lottery website, the gift recipient will receive an email confirmation on the next business day.  If the intent of the gift purchaser is to delay notification of the gift until a future date, the purchaser should provide his or her own email address instead of the gift recipient’s email address and present the confirmation to the gift recipient.

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

Can I purchase a New York Lottery Lotto or Mega Millions subscription if I live outside New York?
Yes, New York State residency is not required. To subscribe through the Lottery’s website, the applicant must be physically located within New York State at the time of purchase since Federal Law prohibits sending a Lottery confirmation or renewal notice across state lines.  The Lottery can send prize checks across state lines.

What are my chances of winning more than a few dollars on an Instant Game?

Each Instant Game is different, offering different odds and prize levels. The majority of Instant Games' overall odds of winning any prize is approximately 1 in 5. For a list of current Instant Games and the odds for each prize level, click here.

What are the payout percentages of New York Lottery Games?

The State Lottery Law allows up to 40% of ticket sales receipts to be used for the payment of prizes in the LOTTO game, or any variation of that game, such as Sweet Million.  Up to 50% of ticket sales receipts may be used for prizes in the Mega Millions, Take 5, Numbers, Win 4, and Pick 10 games.  Quick Draw pays out up to 60% of ticket sales receipts as prizes, and Instant Games have a 65% prize payout, with no more than three games per year paying up to 75% of ticket sales receipts as prizes.  The law also allows the use of unclaimed prizes to supplement the prize structures of all the games, which enables the Lottery to return 57 cents of every dollar to players as prizes in draw games and instant games.  The law requires an average of not less than 90% of sales in video lottery games to be payable as prizes, and payouts at the State's video lottery facilities all meet or exceed that level.

Can there by multiple winners for the LOTTO top prize?

Several people may share a Lotto top prize, depending on the number of people who share a single ticket or the number of people who pick the same numbers.  Historically, we've often had more than one winner for the top prizes. Click here for Lotto information.   Sweet Million has a different prize structure.  Click here for Sweet Million information.

Does a retailer get an extra commission or bonus for selling a winning ticket?

A New York Lottery retailer who sells a winning Mega Millions jackpot prize receives a bonus payment of $10,000.

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.

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%.

What is the difference between the Mega Millions and Powerball games?
Click here to see a comparison between the two games.

When is Powerball starting in New York?
Powerball tickets went on sale January 31, 2010. For more information, click here.

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.