A woman named Tasha recently asked us a great question on Facebook, and she’s obviously planning ahead! She asked: “Does the machine do more than the ‘You’re a winner, woo-hoo!’ when it’s that big of an amount? I’ve been wondering. Lol.”
The quick answer is no … and yes. Here’s the scoop:
We had several debates here at the lottery about whether to add sound to our terminals when someone wins a prize on their lottery ticket. As Tasha described, we ultimately did add the recording you now hear when a winning ticket is scanned here in Iowa.
Why the debate? Some folks told us they were afraid that adding a sound notification might make them a target for those who would like to get their hands on a big winning ticket – or the cash that comes with claiming a lottery prize at a retail location. Others said that adding a sound notification would be one more way we could help protect consumers against fraud by informing them that they’ve won a prize.
We ultimately decided to add recorded sound to our terminals back in 2009. Whenever a winning ticket is scanned, the terminal plays a message just for you. A voice from the terminal says: “You’re a winner!” followed by our signature “Woo-hoo!” sound. It’s the same sound, no matter how much the ticket has won. The terminal also produces a customer receipt for every ticket scanned, and the amount won is displayed on the video screen by the terminal in nearly all of our retail locations.
If you’ve won a prize of more than $600, the terminal also automatically prints a winner claim form. All prizes of more than $600 won in Iowa must be claimed at one of our offices, and we supply that claim form so you can fill it out in advance if you want. (We also have claim forms at our offices, so you can fill one out in person if you prefer.)
So if you think you’ve won an Iowa Lottery prize, listen for the recording from the terminal if you have your ticket checked at one of our retail locations. And if you think you’ve won big, look to see if the terminal is printing out a winner claim form. It’s an indication that you’re about to have a very good day!
Hi, Steven. Thank you for reaching out to us about this. There is a lot of turnover at retail, and although we do our best to keep people informed about all things lottery, there understandably is a learning curve when someone new begins work. I'll pass your comments along to our folks who work directly with the stores so they'll be aware of your concerns. We'll keep working to get lottery info. out there. And thank you for playing! Good luck with your tickets.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | September 09, 2015 at 08:10 AM
Hi, Frank. Thanks for paying close attention to what's going on with our drawings! Sometimes it can take longer to complete the process for a particular drawing, if there is an outside issue like an Internet connection problem, or something like that. We always do our best to get the info out there because we know folks want to see it.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | September 09, 2015 at 08:09 AM
Hi, Frances. The terminal doesn't make a recorded sound when you utilize your monthly coupon for a free play. You're aware that you're utilizing your coupon at the time you redeem it, so we don't believe there are any misunderstandings there. The "Player Bonus!" sound is used in our current promotion when the player involved receives a free play. The play is generated automatically by the terminal and the player wouldn't know about it otherwise, so we want the sound to let them know about their lucky moment!
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | September 09, 2015 at 08:08 AM
I wish that folks in the retail would take the time to train their employees on operating their lotto machines. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have stood in line to get a ticket at a retailer, with people standing behind me, and the clerk can't figure out how to run it. I have had to talk them through it from the other side of the counter in front of people who have become frustrated at the hold up. I like Caseys but more times than not, that's where it happens. I guess I'm getting older when that's all I have to complain about. At any rate, I really like the lottery and have played every week since the beginning. You folks provide a good, trusted game for all of us. Thank you, Steve
Posted by: Steven d. Marsh | September 08, 2015 at 07:17 PM
Today it took almost two hours after the midday drawing for you to post the winning numbers. Why does it take so long. This is not the fist time, in the past it has been a lot faster.
Posted by: Frank S. | September 08, 2015 at 05:55 PM