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GENERAL FAQ

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

Scroll down for Lotto and Scratch Games FAQ.

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Q: Can I claim a prize by mail?

Prizes up to and including $50,000 should be claimed by mail. We recommend keeping a copy of the front and back of your ticket for your records and that you use registered mail. For additional information, click here.

If you need to claim a prize of over $50,000. Call the Minnesota Lottery at 1-888-568-8379 or 651-635-8273 to discuss your options.

NOTE: In Minnesota, lotto game players have one year from the date of the drawing to claim prizes. All scratch games prizes must be claimed within one (1) year of the announced end of the game. Consider waiting to claim prizes that are not approaching an expiration date. Here's a list of scratch game end dates.

CLAIM FORM

Q: Do I receive cash or a check when claiming a prize?

A: Prizes up to and including $50,000 should be claimed by mail at this time and will receive a check.

We recommend keeping a copy of the front and back of your ticket for your records and that you use registered mail. For additional information, Here is a list of scratch game end dates.

Prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at Minnesota Lottery Headquarters and players will receive a check. If possible, we recommend waiting to claim your prize until it's safe to travel. 

LEARN MORE

Q: If I win a lottery prize, may I remain anonymous as far as the public and the media are concerned?

A: That depends on how much you win. Minnesota state law requires that the names and cities of lottery prize winners above $10,000 are automatically considered private data unless a winner chooses to opt in to publicity. The names and cities of lottery prize winners of $10,000 or less are still public data. For 2nd Chance winners, any prize that includes $10,000 or more cash is also private data.

Q: Can I purchase lottery tickets online?

A: No, the Minnesota State Legislature voted to end the Minnesota Lottery’s ability to sell eScratch tickets on the Lottery's website. The same legislation also ended Play at the Pump and Play at ATM sales. All online, pump, and ATM sales were terminated as of August 31, 2015.

Q: I received an email from a person saying I won the Lottery. How do I know if this is real or fake?

A: The only way to win the Lottery is to buy a lottery ticket or enter a second-chance contest directly on our website. You would never be asked to provide personal information over the phone or via e-mail by the Minnesota State Lottery. A legitimate lottery would also never ask you to pay taxes or fees before you receive payment. If you have any questions about a suspicious e-mail or phone call, call the lottery at (651) 635-8273, then press 2. 

Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

For more information about scams, or to file a complaint, contact the following: 

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at (877) FTC-HELP or www.ftc.gov

U.S. Postal Inspection Service at (651) 293-3200 or www.usps.com/postalinspectors 

Minnesota Attorney General at (651) 296-3353, (800) 657-3787, or www.ag.state.mn.us

or your local law enforcement agency.

LEARN MORE

Q: What’s the difference between the cash and annuity option?

A: When someone wins the jackpot and wants cash, they get all of the cash in the jackpot prize pool. If the winner wants the annuity, the cash in the prize pool is invested to fund the annuity payments. The winner gets the cash plus the interest earned. When you see an estimated jackpot annuity prize, we are estimating both sales and what the market’s prices on certain securities will be. The annuity jackpot amount and the cash jackpot amount that we announce are always estimates until sales are final and, for the annuity jackpot, until bids are issued on the purchase of securities.

Q: Can a resident of Canada purchase Minnesota State Lottery tickets? If a Canadian citizen wins, how would the payment be made and how are the taxes paid?

A: Yes, residents of Canada (or any other non-Minnesotan of legal age) may play our Lottery. However, all players must purchase their tickets in person from an authorized Lottery retailer physically located in Minnesota. When a winner is not a U.S. citizen or a legal resident of the U.S., we are required to withhold federal taxes of 30 percent for any prize paid. We are required to withhold state taxes of 7.25 percent for any prize over $5,000. Prize money in Minnesota (and most of the United States) is treated just like wages, so the ultimate tax liability may vary based on the winner's tax status.

Q: Can I purchase lottery tickets from a retailer with a check, check card or debit card?

A: Yes, if the retailer allows it. Minnesota Rule 7856.4010, subpart 16, permits retailers to accept coin, currency, money orders and checks for the payment of lottery tickets. Also, since the use of a check card or debit card is the same as a check, the use of those cards is also permitted. While a lottery retailer may accept a check or a check card for the payment of lottery tickets, the retailer is not required to do so. The Lottery does not require a retailer to accept a check or a check card for the payment of lottery tickets. In other words, a retailer is permitted to have a policy that they will not accept checks or debit cards for the purchase of lottery tickets.

Q: How long do I have to claim a prize I won?

A: Tickets for lotto games (those printed by a lottery machine, like Powerball, Lotto America, Gopher 5, etc.) expire one year from the date of the drawing. Scratch tickets expire one year after the game officially ends.

Q: Where do proceeds from the Lottery go?

A: The state constitution and law determines the distribution of Lottery proceeds. Currently, the state General Fund receives 60 percent of proceeds. The General Fund is the money that the state Legislature appropriates for the operation of all state services. The remaining 40 percent of proceeds goes to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which finances environment and natural resources projects across the entire state. A 6.5 percent in-lieu-of-sales tax is directed to the Game and Fish Fund and Natural Resources Fund for fish and game, parks, trails, and zoos. The General Fund also receives a portion of this money. 

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Q: How can I get funding through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund?

A: Each year, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources accepts proposals for environmental projects. Five Senators, five Representatives, five citizens appointed by the governor, one citizen appointed by the Senate and one citizen appointed by the House form the Commission. For more information, visit the LCCMR Web site.

Q: What happens to all of the prize money when someone forgets to cash a winning ticket?

A: It is different in each state. In Minnesota, all of the unclaimed prize money goes to the state General Fund. The answer is different for Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots. Unclaimed jackpots for these games would go back to the participating states based on the percentage of sales that they contributed to the prize fund.

Q: How can I find out about unclaimed prizes?

A: Visit our Unclaimed Prizes page to see which games have prizes remaining, updated every weekday.

Unclaimed Prizes

Q: Why does it seem like all the major prize winners are in the Twin Cities metro area?

A: An analysis of winner location reflects proportionate winners to sales volume across the state. Approximately 50 percent of sales occur in the Twin Cities metro area so over time, about 50 percent of winning tickets will be purchased in the metro area. 

Q: I'm in a lottery pool at work. How many people can go together to claim a winning lottery prize?

A: There is no limit however, each person wanting to claim part of the prize will need to fill out an individual claim form.

LEARN MORE

Q: What taxes are withheld if I win a lottery prize?

A: For residents and resident aliens, 31.25 percent in federal and state withholding taxes is deducted for every Lottery prize over $5,000. 

Current federal tax law requires the Lottery to withhold 24 percent in federal income taxes, and current Minnesota state law requires the Lottery to withhold 7.25 percent in Minnesota state income taxes. 

For non-resident aliens, current tax laws require that the Lottery withhold 30 percent in federal income taxes on all Lottery prizes and 7.25 percent in Minnesota state income taxes on Lottery prizes over $5,000.

Depending on your other income and deductions, amounts withheld by the Lottery on your winnings may or may not be sufficient to meet your total tax obligation. 

It may be in your best interest to consult with a professional tax adviser to determine your tax situation to avoid any surprises at the end of the year.

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All winning numbers and prize amounts are unofficial until certified by the Minnesota Lottery.