A player has sent this question our way: Does it matter where I claim my lottery prize? And are there different rules for bigger prizes? The quick answers are: Yes and yes! But here's the full story:
You can claim prizes of up to $600 in Iowa Lottery games at any retail location where tickets are sold if sufficient funds are available. Please note the last part of that sentence: if sufficient funds are available. For a variety of workplace safety reasons, many locations don't keep a large amount of cash on hand these days, particularly after dark. So even though retail locations can pay prizes of up to $600, they may not always have the money on hand to do that, and we understand that.
That's why we always offer players the option of claiming prizes by mail or at one of our regional offices around the state.
Prizes of more than $600 must be claimed directly from the lottery, either by mail or by visiting one of our offices. Our very biggest prizes, meaning those of more than $250,000, as well as some merchandise prizes, must be claimed in person at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.
We keep all the details about the claims process, including the documentation you'll need to provide, on the How To Claim A Prize page on our website. Good luck on your lottery tickets and we hope to meet you as a winner soon!
Hi, Diane. Yes, we do suggest certified mail -- or some other form of delivery that can be tracked.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | February 28, 2018 at 11:30 AM
You first have to have a winning ticket, then you could claim your. Money. But playing this loosing game for thirty years. Not winning. Take my word.
Posted by: Saabdu2001 | February 23, 2018 at 05:30 PM
Do you suggest a winning ticket of larger amount be sent certified?
Posted by: Diane De G | February 22, 2018 at 02:08 PM
Lets becareful here the rulrs used to be any retailer who sells lottery tickets must maintain at least six hundred dollars on tap to pay out. The cahsees kum and go they refuse to cash anything out over 50 dollars. Its great to say yeab bring your 100.00 ticket to the main lottery headqaurters well that would be om but there is no garentee when you take your ticket ylu will get your cash because if there is one fine you owe from 25 years ago you thought was taken care of well it is now the lottery main office will take your winnings and use it for you to pay any of yoyr bills. So ic its less than 600 dont ever run it your local lottery office take it to hyvee
Posted by: Nifty165 | February 20, 2018 at 05:21 AM