Help and FAQs
Answers to the questions players ask most about buying tickets, checking results and claiming prizes. Rules differ from state to state, so for anything about your own ticket, your state lottery's official rules decide.
I received an email or message saying I've won a lottery. Is it real?
No — it is a scam. U.S. lotteries never tell winners by email or text message. It is always the player's job to check the winning numbers on a trusted site and to claim the prize. Never reply to these messages or share any details.
What happens if I lose my lottery ticket?
Keep your tickets safe. Sign the back of each ticket and add your address so no one else can claim it. A prize cannot be claimed without the winning ticket.
What is a Quick Pick?
A Quick Pick is a set of numbers chosen at random by the lottery terminal. Most states offer Quick Picks.
Which states sell lottery tickets online?
A growing number of states sell some or all of their games online, and the list changes. Check your state lottery's official website to see whether online play is available where you live.
Do the rules change when I play online?
No. A ticket bought online has the same rules and prizes as one bought from a lottery retailer.
Why do some players buy online?
Buying online means a ticket can't be lost and a prize can't be missed, and many states let you buy for several drawings in advance.
Can I buy lottery tickets by phone or mail?
No. Apart from buying online where a state allows it, tickets are sold in person. Some states do offer subscriptions to certain games by mail.
How old do I have to be to play the lottery?
In most states you must be at least 18. Some states set a higher minimum age, so check your state lottery's rules.
Can I keep playing after I've won?
Yes. However many prizes you have won, you can play as often as you like.
How many states have a lottery?
Most U.S. states run an official lottery, as do the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each state's page on LotteryCorner lists its games.
Can lottery drawings be rigged?
Drawings are run with certified, tested ball machines or random number generators so that every result is random and impossible to predict.
Can I buy tickets for several drawings in advance?
Yes. How many drawings you can buy ahead depends on the game and the state.
Is there a limit on how many tickets I can buy?
No. You can buy as many tickets as you like for a drawing.
Can a ticket be cancelled?
Usually not. Once a ticket has been printed, it generally can't be cancelled.
Can a set of numbers be sold out?
Sometimes. In fixed-prize games, such as daily number games, a lottery may limit how many times one combination can be sold for a drawing.
How do I know whether my ticket has won?
Find the game and the drawing date, then compare the winning numbers with the numbers on your ticket. LotteryCorner's number checker can do this for you.
How do I claim a prize?
It depends on the game and the state where the ticket was bought. Your state lottery's website explains how to claim, and LotteryCorner's state pages link to it.
How long do I have to claim a prize?
Each state and game sets its own claim period. Check it on your state lottery's website as soon as you know you've won.
How soon after the drawing can I claim?
Once the results are confirmed and published. Depending on the game, that can take a few hours.
How can I make sure only I can claim my ticket?
Keep the ticket somewhere safe, tell as few people as possible, and sign it — a signature shows the ticket is yours.
Can a winner stay anonymous?
Only in some states, and sometimes only for prizes above a certain amount. Check your state lottery's rules before you claim.
What happens if I lose a winning ticket?
A lost ticket, or one damaged beyond recognition, usually can't be claimed. That is why signing and safely storing your tickets matters.
Are lottery prizes taxed?
Yes. Federal income tax applies to lottery winnings, and state tax may apply too, depending on the state where the ticket was bought.