We got an interesting question this week from a woman on Facebook who wondered about the distribution of tickets in our scratch games – and specifically, the top-prize winning tickets. We figure everybody wants to know about those, so here’s the background on our exchange with her.
The woman asked this question: “For scratch tickets, does the lottery release the grand prizes at once in various locations or send them out in phases, like a few at the beginning of the month and then the rest later? Any insight would help satisfy my curiosity.”
There generally are more than a million tickets in one of our scratch games. Tickets are distributed over time, with the initial supply of tickets at retail locations across the state replaced as they sell out. Winning tickets – including grand-prize-winning tickets – are randomly distributed throughout the entire supply of tickets in a particular game, so they’re available in retail locations over time as the game is for sale.
There’s not a particular point in time that tickets are distributed once a game has gone on sale – the process is determined by the availability (or lack thereof) of tickets in that game. No one knows when the next big one is going to hit, and that’s a necessary security feature designed to protect the integrity of our games.
In response to scratch ticket question. Millions of tickets could take a long time to distribute to retailers and lots of top prize tickets could still be in the lottery inventory. Lets take Bonus Crossword, its been out a long time, so is the lottery allowed to say whether all tickets have been distributed? as there are still 14 top prizes but why buy if lottery headquarters are still holding more tickets that retailers don't need....
Posted by: Diane De Geeter | June 06, 2016 at 01:12 PM
I have to agree with the above comment. I live in Davenport, IA and there never seem to be any big winners here from the scratch off tickets. That makes people hesitate to play.
Posted by: marnita Morgan | June 05, 2016 at 09:28 AM
Thats a real comment that should be paid attention yo.
Posted by: Mr.Adams | June 04, 2016 at 04:34 PM
That thought has crossed my mind many many times. I applaud the person who asked it. I TOTALLY agree. I don't play the games as much as I used to. it just costs to much, especially the powerball. But a nice and considerate thought and hats off to the person who asked that question.
Posted by: Diane Brandow | June 03, 2016 at 04:58 PM
i stop playing regular lotterys mega power ball and money for life and scrach tickets i only ever won free tickets or 2 dollars its not worth it i decided im not lucky in love or money i think the big jack pots should not be so big and spread the wealth around
Posted by: Jean E Webber | June 03, 2016 at 01:37 PM