Three people have been arrested in northwest Iowa following an investigation requested by the lottery. Click here for the full details from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
A ticket winning a $250,000 prize in an instant-scratch game was presented June 17 for cashing at our Storm Lake office. The ticket had won one of the top prizes in “$250,000 Riches,” a $20 scratch game that began sales in March.
There was scribbling on the back of the ticket when it was brought into our office, so the claim attempt was referred to our Security Division.
The lottery follows security procedures in prize claims to ensure that the ticket involved was legally purchased, legally possessed and legally presented. Under our security procedures, lottery tickets must be signed before they can be checked or cashed. A signature on a ticket identifies it as belonging to the person claiming the prize. If there is a question about who signed a winning ticket, the lottery reviews the details involved.
The lottery requested the assistance of the DCI in this matter and the investigation that followed was a joint effort with the Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office and Sioux Rapids Police Department. The $250,000 prize involved has not been paid.
Hi Alan,
Unfortunately the only way to double-check scratch tickets is to scan them using a self-checker inside a lottery retailer or have a clerk scan it for you on a lottery terminal.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | August 03, 2016 at 11:25 AM
Is there an application that gives you the ability to scan a scratch off ticket to see if you have won? Maybe even type the numbers in? I have searched but have not been able to acquire one.
Posted by: Alan | August 03, 2016 at 03:49 AM