Playing Lotto America
Q: What states participate in Lotto America ?
A: Lotto America is played in 13 states. Those states are Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Dakota and West Virginia.
Q: Is it possible for the Star Ball number to be the same as one of the five white ball numbers?
A: Yes. The five white ball numbers and the one Star Ball number are drawn from separate sets of balls, so the Star Ball number could be the same as one of the white ball numbers.
Q: Which has better odds — picking my own numbers or requesting a Quick Pick?
A: Whether you pick your own numbers or have the terminal randomly select numbers for you, the odds of winning are the same.
Q: What is the All-Star Bonus Multiplier?
A: For an extra $1 All Star Bonus purchase you could increase your prize amount (except the jackpot) by 2, 3, 4 or 5. If you match 5 white ball numbers and have purchased the All Star Bonus, you will have multiplied your $20,000 prize to as much as $100,000! The prize payout does not increase if you match 5 and the Star Ball; in that case you win the jackpot!
Purchasing Tickets
Q: How much do Lotto America tickets cost?
A: Lotto America tickets cost $1 per play. The All Star Bonus option costs an additional $1 per play.
Q: Can I purchase Lotto America tickets in advance?
A: To play multiple upcoming draws, request from 2 to 20 Multi Draws either on the playslip or through the retailer. Multi Draws will include the next upcoming draw and be consecutive from that draw. Draws cannot be skipped.
Q: How late can I purchase Lotto America tickets on a draw night?
A: Lotto America sales are suspended 1 hour 45 minutes prior to the draw.
Q: Can a Lotto America ticket be voided or canceled?
A: No. Once a Lotto America ticket has been printed, it cannot be canceled.
Prizes and Claims
Q: Do Lotto America tickets expire?
A: Prizes must be claimed within 1 year of the draw date on which the prize was won.
Q: Do I have to match the numbers in the exact order drawn?
A: No. The order of the white ball numbers drawn does not matter, but the one Star Ball must match the Star Ball number on the ticket.
Q: Can I redeem a winning Lotto America ticket in any state?
A: Although the winning numbers are the same in all Lotto America states, a ticket must be redeemed in the state in which it was purchased.
Q: I lost my ticket. Can I claim a prize with a playslip or store receipt?
A: Lotto America prizes can only be claimed with a ticket printed from the lottery terminal. Playslips or store receipts will not constitute proof of purchase. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments, meaning the person who presents the ticket for claim will be presumed to be the owner. Always sign the back of any lottery ticket immediately. If you lose a ticket before you sign it, you no longer have valid ownership of the ticket.
Lotto America Jackpot
Q: What happens if more than one person wins the jackpot?
A: If there is more than one jackpot-winning ticket, the prize will be split equally between the jackpot-winning tickets.
Q: Why does a jackpot winner receive a smaller cash amount than the advertised jackpot?
A: The advertised jackpot is the total amount won if a winner selects an annuity over 30 annual payments (29 years). The amount of cash on hand is actually less than that and the advertised jackpot is what the cash on hand would total if invested over the 29 years. If a player chooses a lump sum, the player does not receive the interest that the cash on hand would have earned over 29 years. Applicable withholding taxes will also be deducted.
Q: What happens if the jackpot is not claimed?
A: If the jackpot is not claimed within the time frame set by the jurisdiction in which it was won, the jackpot funds will be returned to the states based on each state’s proportion of the sales that contributed to that jackpot.
Q: What happens if an annuity prizewinner dies?
A: Annual prize payments can continue to be paid to the winner’s heirs, or the annuity may be cashed out by the estate.