Minnesota Lottery

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Go-pher this Retailer Promotion

To celebrate Minnesota's favorite party animal, Gopher 5, we have a fun retailer promotion this May! Show us your gopher teeth from your POP kit this month, snap a photo and submit for your chance to win one of five Gopher 5-themed prize packs.

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Background Check Changes Starting January 2026

On August 1, 2025, Minnesota law changed regarding background checks required for Minnesota Lottery retailers. The law now requires a nationwide fingerprint-based background check once every seven years for “Responsible Lottery Officials.” Starting January 1, 2026, the Lottery will require this new process to be followed for all new contracts and contract renewals. For existing contracts, you will receive a letter with detailed instructions for how to comply based on the schedule below.

Contact Renewal Date (Background Check Deadline)	Letter with instructions from Lottery mailed on or about	Receipt of fingerprints at Lottery by
January 15, 2026	September 15, 2025	November 15, 2025
February 15, 2026	October 15, 2025	December 15, 2025
March 15, 2026	November 15, 2025	January 15, 2026
April 15, 2026	December 15, 2025	February 15, 2026
May 15, 2026	January 15, 2026	March 15, 2026
June 15, 2026	February 15, 2026	April 15, 2026
July 15, 2026	March 15, 2026	May 15, 2026
August 15, 2026	April 15, 2026	June 15, 2026
September 15, 2026	May 15, 2026	July 15, 2026
October 15, 2026	June 15, 2026	August 15, 2026
November 15, 2026	July 15, 2026	September 15, 2026
December 15, 2026	August 15, 2026	October 15, 2026

Official Notices, Forms & Resources

Retailer Fingerprinting Letter w/ Detailed Instructions (September 15, 2025)	Form 2 - Responsible Lottery Official Informed Consent
Retailer Fingerprinting Letter (August 1, 2025)	Form 3 - Identity Verification Form for Fingerprinting
Retailer Fingerprinting FAQs	Tips for Responsible Lottery Official Background Checks
Form 1 - Responsible Lottery Official Designation	349A.06 Lottery Retailers Statute

Quick Reference Guides

Changing Paper [150k PDF]
Scratch Ticket Returns [615k PDF]
SmartCount™ Procedure [150k PDF]
SmartCount 24-hour Stores [152k PDF]
SmartCount Non-24-hour Stores [147k PDF]

RETAILER TOOLS

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