The Right Way to Play
Here are some important things to know before you buy a Lottery ticket:
Know the Rules
ID, Please
You must be at least 21 years old and be able to present a valid form of identification to purchase or redeem Lottery tickets.
Game Information
How-to-Play information can be found on your ticket, the Lottery’s website on the
GAMES page, at any Lottery retailer, the Lottery’s Player Hotline at (480) 829-PICK (7425) in Phoenix, or (800-499-3798) in all other areas.
The Odds
The overall odds of winning are printed on all Scratchers℠ tickets. Odds for each prize level, as well as number of prizes remaining, are available by clicking on the individual game on the
SCRATCHERS page.
Games Ended
Information about Scratchers game-end dates and the final date to redeem prizes are posted on the
SCRATCHERS ENDING DATES page. The final date to redeem a winning ticket for an on-line game is 180 days from the drawing. To obtain specific information, click on the appropriate game icon on the website and then click on “View past winning numbers.”
Cash Only
Cash, debit cards, money orders, or travelers cheques are accepted forms of payment. Buying tickets with a credit card is at the discretion of the individual retailer. Credit cards are not accepted at either the Phoenix or Tucson Office Claims Stores.
Purchase in Person
Lottery tickets cannot be bought over the phone, by mail, or Internet. Buy tickets only from authorized retailers. There are over 2,800 licensed retailers across the state of Arizona. Never play a lottery (foreign or otherwise) by phone, mail, or Internet. It is against the law and increases your risk of falling victim to a scam.
Beware of Scams
♦ Beware of any prize notice (by letter, email, or phone call) for a contest or lottery you never entered. Simply put, if you didn’t buy a lottery ticket, there is no possible way of winning.
♦ Do not give your personal, credit card, or banking information to anyone claiming that you’ve won a prize. The perpetrators can use this information for identity and monetary theft.
♦ Never pay processing, insurance, or commissions to claim or receive a prize. Legitimate lotteries do not require winners to pay anything upfront to collect a prize.
♦ Beware of the “Pigeon Drop Scam.” It works as follows: Suspects usually approach older individuals, especially older Hispanic people, and claim to have a winning lottery ticket. The suspects say they can’t redeem the ticket because they are illegal immigrants. Victims of this scam are asked to put up “good faith” money, which the perpetrators say they will return with additional payment after the prize is paid.
Protect Yourself
♦ Arizona residency or U.S. citizenship is not necessary to claim prizes.
♦ The Arizona Lottery never confirms tickets over the phone.
♦ If you are approached about a winning ticket you never purchased, give NO personal information. Get as much information as possible and decline the offer. (See “Report Your Suspicions” section below.)
Report Your Suspicions to:
Arizona Lottery Investigations Unit
4740 East University Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85034
480-921-4486
reportfraud@azlottery.gov
Phoenix Office of the Attorney General
(Consumer Information and Complaints)
1275 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2926
602-542-5763
1-800-352-8431
Tucson Office of the Attorney General
400 W. Congress, South Building, Suite 315
Tucson, AZ 85701-1367
520-628-6504
The Federal Trade Commission
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
Or online at www.ftc.gov
More Tips
Double-check your purchase
When the clerk gives you your tickets, immediately check them to be sure you got what you ordered. Count them and check the numbers.
Grab a pen
Immediately upon purchase, sign your name on the back of your ticket. The signature on the back of the ticket determines ownership.
Did I win?
When a retailer validates your ticket, if it is a winner, the machine will play “We’re in the Money.” If the terminal includes a digital display screen, the amount won will also appear on the screen.
I Won! What Now?
All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem prizes up to $599. Any prize can be claimed in person at the Phoenix or Tucson office or by mailing your signed ticket to: Arizona Lottery, Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062-2913. A claim form (available at retailers and downloadable from our website) must be completed for winning prizes of $600 or more.
By mail, to claim winnings of $600 or more, you must send the following: the original ticket with back of ticket filled in and signed, a completed claim form and a photocopy of picture identification. Keep copies for your records. Send the ticket(s) to: Arizona Lottery, Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062-2913.
Be Wise!
Play Responsibly. Confidential help is available.
www.problemgambling.az.gov