Now that we’re moving into fall and getting back into our normal routines, it’s a good time to review some of the best ways you can arm yourself with information to help keep your lottery play fun and safe.
So for the next two weeks, we’re focusing on player security. Here’s your first tip of the day: Remember to get a receipt every time you have a ticket checked or cashed at a lottery terminal in Iowa. It’s an easy way to verify the results of your ticket and answer any questions you may have.
You should first determine on your own whether your ticket has won a prize. But whenever you do have a ticket checked or cashed at a lottery terminal, receipts are available.
If it’s for a scratch ticket, information at the bottom of the receipt shows the game, pack and ticket number for the ticket involved. Those same numbers are just above the barcode on the back of the ticket, so you can check the receipt against the ticket to be sure they match.
If the receipt is for a lotto ticket in a game like Powerball® or Lucky for Life®, in the upper left is a long string of numbers that includes the 14-digit serial number for your ticket. That same serial number also is in the upper left of the ticket itself. So again, you can check the receipt against the ticket to be sure they match.
(No receipts are involved for pull-tab tickets because they include “built-in receipts.” Any prize amount won on a pull-tab is already printed underneath the tabs on the ticket so the prize involved is very clear.)
A lot of retail locations automatically offer nonwinning tickets back to their customers, but if that doesn't happen, feel free to ask for your ticket back if you have any questions. Winning tickets are kept by the lottery and its retailers for record-keeping and security purposes, but nonwinning tickets can be returned to the customer.
GREAT real-world examples, Diane! That's why we make receipts available -- to help answer people's questions! Thanks for sharing your comment.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | September 28, 2016 at 01:57 PM
Definitely ask for your receipt. I had a power for life ticket checked, the cashier said not a winner, I asked for my receipt, she said it wasn't a winner and tossed the ticket away. I made her dig it out and showed her that if she had read the receipt it says not a winner, more draws remaining. sometimes i think they wait for the woo hoo sound and if they do not hear it, they assume... I have been asking for my receipt for a long time. I also ask for my non winning tickets back and match up the numbers just in case.
Posted by: Diane Brandow | September 28, 2016 at 12:26 PM
Hello, Beverly! You must present a winning ticket to claim an Iowa Lottery prize. An affidavit would not suffice.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | September 27, 2016 at 08:31 AM
What if I win but I lost my ticket? Can I fill out a Lost Certificate Affidavit?
Posted by: Beverly Stockton | September 26, 2016 at 08:59 PM