FAQs

A. The Georgia Lottery Corporation advertises its jackpots at the estimated 26-year annuity value for Mega Millions and the estimated 30-year annuity for Powerball. When players choose the annuity option on their prize, the Georgia Lottery pays the prize out over 26 years (Mega Millions) or 30 years (Powerball) by buying U.S. Government Treasury Securities, which earn interest and mature annually over the time period. That annual return is the amount winners receive each year for annuity period. With Cash Option, the Lottery takes the amount of money that would have been invested and pays it directly to the winner in one payment. Both payment options have federal and state taxes deducted from them.

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Q. After I buy a ticket, can it be changed from Annuity to Cash Option?

A. If you are a jackpot prize winner but did not choose Cash Option at the time of purchase you will have sixty (60) days from the date of your prize claim to decide if you want to choose Cash Option. If you choose the Cash Option at the time of purchase you cannot change to Annuity.

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Q. How do I find out more information on the Georgia Prekindergarten Program?

A. The Lottery-funded Pre-K Program provides Georgia's four-year-old children with high quality preschool experiences in order to prepare them for kindergarten. For more information or to locate a Pre-K facility nearby, contact Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning at (404) 656-5957 or 1-888-4GA-PREK. Their web site address is http://www.decal.state.ga.us/

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Q. How do I find out more information on HOPE Scholarships?

A. The Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship Program helps students who are legal residents of Georgia with a "B" average to continue their education after high school. For more specific information and applications, please contact Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program at (770) 724-9030 or 1-800-546-HOPE. Their web site address is http://www.gsfc.org/

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Q. In the event that an annuity jackpot winner passes away before collecting an entire jackpot prize, what happens to the remaining prize money?

A. Remaining payments would continue to be paid to the winner's estate in annual installments.

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Q. Can Georgia Lottery tickets be purchased via the mail or the Internet?

A. The Georgia Lottery Corporation does not offer sale of Georgia Lottery tickets via the mail or over the Internet. By law, all Georgia Lottery tickets must be purchased with cash only - credit cards, debit cards, checks or any form of deferred payment are not acceptable forms of payment for Georgia Lottery tickets - from an authorized Georgia Lottery retailer within the state of Georgia.

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Q. What if a group or lottery pool wins a jackpot prize?

A. The GLC cannot advise you about structuring lottery pools because they are arrangements made between private parties. If you decide to play in a group, the GLC will pay only one winner. Prizes may be claimed by a single legal entity, either an individual or one organization. Groups, families, clubs or organizations can designate one individual or entity to receive a prize.

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Q. How long do I have to claim a prize?

A. All on-line tickets (Win for Life, Mega Millions, Powerball, Fantasy 5, Georgia FIVE, CASH 4, CASH 3, KENO! and Decades of Dollars tickets) are valid for 180 days after the draw date. Instant tickets are valid for 90 days after the game ends. The Georgia Lottery encourages players to claim prizes on instant games soon after purchasing them.

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Q. How do I claim a prize?

A. There are many ways for players to claim Georgia Lottery prizes. A player must present a valid winning ticket, along with proof of current address and a social security card. Prizes of $600 or less can be claimed at one of the more than 8,000 Georgia Lottery retailer locations. All prizes, including jackpot prizes, can be claimed at any Georgia Lottery district office or the Georgia Lottery's headquarters in Atlanta.

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Q. Do I need a claim form to claim my prize?

A. For prizes above $600, winners must fill out a claim form. Claim forms are available at retailer locations, GLC district offices or by requesting one from a Player Information Representative. Prizes of $600 or less can be claimed at a retailer location or by simply signing the back of the ticket, filling out your complete address and mailing it to the address on the back of the ticket: Georgia Lottery Corporation, P.O. Box 56966, Atlanta, GA 30343.

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Q. What are acceptable forms of ID to claim a prize?

A. In order to claim a prize above $600, two forms of valid identification must be presented. Preferred forms of acceptable identification are a valid driver's license with current address and a Social Security card. Please contact a Georgia Lottery Player Information Representative for other acceptable forms of identification that confirms the current address and social security number of the claimant.

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Q. What hours are the Lottery District Offices open?

A. Georgia Lottery District Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All offices are closed on federal holidays.

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Q. Can a playslip be used to claim a prize?

A. No. In order to claim a prize, a player must possess a valid instant ticket or ticket generated from a Georgia Lottery terminal.

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Q. Are State & Federal Taxes withheld on Georgia Lottery Prizes?

A. Yes. All Georgia Lottery prizes are subject to applicable federal and state withholdings, and state and federal income taxes. The GLC reports to the IRS and Georgia Department of Revenue the names of winners of prizes above $600. Georgia state income tax of 6% and federal income tax of 25% are withheld from prizes of more than $5,000 at the time the prize is claimed. Additionally, the GLC is required to check for and deduct any outstanding child support payments for prizes of $2,500 and above and student loans and state taxes for prizes of $5,000 and above, net of wager or ticket cost.

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Q. Is it necessary to sign a lottery ticket?

A. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments. Therefore, if your ticket were lost or stolen it becomes the property of whoever signs it.

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Q. Can lottery tickets be canceled?

A. In the CASH 3, CASH 4, and Georgia FIVE games, there is a fifteen minute window after a ticket is generated from the computer in which it can be canceled at the location where it was purchased. Tickets cannot be canceled for Mega Millions, Powerball, Win for Life, Decades of Dollars and Fantasy 5 games.

We encourage players to fill out a playslip and check the ticket(s) before leaving the retailer location to ensure that they receive what they requested.

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Q. Which states participate in Mega Millions?

A. Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery with 41 participating states and the District of Columbia. Although it is a multi-state game, Mega Millions tickets must be claimed in the same state in which they were purchased. See megamillions.com for current listing of participating states.

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Q. Which states participate in Powerball?

A. Powerball is a multi-state lottery offered in 42 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands. See powerball.com for current listing of participating states.

Q. Which states participate in Win for Life?

A. Win for Life is a multi-state game played in Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia.

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Q. Which states participate in Decades of Dollars?

A. Decades of Dollars is a multi-state game played in Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia and Arkansas.

Q. What is Win for Life?

A. Win for Life is a multi-state game that offers lifetime security with a top prize of $1,000 a week for life! The game also offers eight different ways to win including a great second prize of $1,000 a week for a year!

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Q. What is Decades of Dollars?

A. Decades of Dollars is a multi-state game that offers a top prize of $250,000 a year for 30 years and four other ways to win cash prizes ranging from $2 to $10,000! The game is simple to play – just select 6 numbers from 1 to 47 – and you can win a prize by matching 2 or more winning numbers!

Q. Is it possible for one or more numbers to repeat on Quik Pik tickets?

A. Because computer-generated numbers are selected at random, it is possible for numbers to be repeated. There is no built-in memory. Once a ticket is generated, the process starts all over again with all the combinations.

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Q. Why did the GLC set a liability limit in CASH 3 & CASH 4?

A. The GLC has an obligation to raise as many dollars for educational programs in Georgia as we can while also ensuring that we have funds available to pay winners. To accomplish this, we must be able to limit our potential payout to an amount that we expect to reasonably pay based on the sales we generate for this game. The liability limit for CASH 3 is $10 million and for CASH 4 is $10 million.

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Q. How secure are the drawings for the games?

A. There are stringent security measures in place to ensure the integrity and randomness of the drawings. Our security department and an independent auditing firm attend and monitor each step in the drawing process. Each lottery machine and ballset used go through a series of pre-drawing tests to certify the integrity of the process. In addition, the entire process is videotaped.

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Q. When are the drawings held and where can I view them?

A. CASH 3, CASH 4 & Georgia FIVE midday drawings are held daily at 12:29pm and CASH 3 & Georgia FIVE evening drawings are held daily at 6:59pm. CASH 4 evening & Fantasy 5 drawings are held daily at 11:34pm.. Win for Life and Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00pm,Mega Millions drawings are held each Tuesday and Friday at 11:00pm and Decades of Dollars drawings are held each Monday and Thursday at 11:00pm.

Drawings are televised live on WSB-TV, Channel 2 in Atlanta; WJBF-TV, Channel 6 in Augusta; WRBL-TV, Channel 3 in Columbus; WMAZ-TV, Channel 13 in Macon; WSAV-TV, Channel 3 in Savannah; and WNEG-TV, Channel 32 in Toccoa. Win for Life drawings are streamed live over the Internet at www.galottery.com.

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Q. Is it necessary to fill out a playslip?

A. A player is responsible for the accuracy of his/her ticket. Using a playslip helps ensure the accuracy of the ticket.

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Q. What is the acceptable form of payment for a Georgia Lottery ticket?

A. According to the Georgia Lottery for Education Act, the sale of lottery tickets shall be for cash only.

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Q. What is the acceptable form of prize payment from a retailer?

A. A retailer can make payment in the form of cash, check or money order. Before a player cashes a winning ticket at a retailer location, it is a good idea to ask the retailer the form of payment to be given. This way the player knows the form of payment before the ticket is cashed.

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Q. Who can play the Georgia Lottery?

A. Anyone who is 18 years of age or older can play Georgia Lottery games except for Georgia Lottery employees, Board members and family members residing in the same household; vendors, subcontractors, employees and family members residing in the same household. There are no restrictions placed on retailers and their employees.

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Q. When can Georgia Lottery tickets be purchased?

A. Instant tickets can be purchased at any time the retailer location is open for business. Tickets for the Lottery's on-line games, CASH 3, CASH 4, Georgia FIVE, Fantasy 5, Decades of Dollars, Win for Life, Powerball, Mega Millions, and KENO! can be purchased seven days a week at the following times: CASH 3, CASH 4, and Georgia FIVE tickets are sold from 5 a.m. until 12:20 p.m., resume immediately after the midday drawing at 12:30 p.m. CASH 3 and Georgia FIVE tickets then are sold again until 6:50 p.m., starting again immediately following the evening drawing at 7:00 p.m. until 1 a.m.; CASH 4 tickets are sold after the midday drawing until 10:45 p.m. Fantasy 5 tickets are sold from 5 a.m. until 10:45 p.m. Powerball tickets are sold from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. on the days they are drawn (Wed. & Sat.) and until 1 a.m. on all other days. Win for Life, Decades of Dollars and Mega Millions tickets are sold from 5 a.m. until 10:45 p.m. on the days they are drawn (Win for Life - Wed. & Sat.; Decades of Dollars – Mon. & Thur.; Mega Millions - Tues. & Fri.) and until 1 a.m. on all other days.

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Q. How soon after a drawing can a winning ticket be redeemed?

A. Winning tickets for CASH 3, CASH 4, and Georgia FIVE can be redeemed immediately following a drawing. Fantasy 5, Win for Life, Decades of Dollars, Mega Millions and Powerball winning tickets are redeemable the following business day starting at 5 a.m. at retailer locations, Georgia Lottery Headquarters, or District Office claim centers.

Q. What are the locations of the Lottery District offices?

A. District offices are located in the following cities: Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Duluth, Macon, Savannah and Tifton. GLC Headquarters is located in Atlanta.

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Q. What happens to unclaimed prizes?

A. Prizes that are not claimed within the specified time go back into the prize pool to be used for special prize promotions, future game prizes, and ultimately are paid out to the players. Also, of this money, $200,000 is transferred annually to the Georgia Department of Human Resources for education and treatment programs for problem gambling. A portion of this money funds HELPLINE Georgia, a hotline for Georgians that provides information and referral resources regarding problem and compulsive gambling. For information, call HELPLINE Georgia at 1-800-699-7117.

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Q. Who develops new game ideas for the Georgia Lottery?

A. Ideas for new games to be considered for use by the GLC are researched, developed and created in a variety of ways. The Georgia Lottery contracts with GTECH Corporation for the implementation of new on-line games and with Scientific Games Int'l for instant game products.

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Q. Can a retailer sell tickets on Sunday?

A. Yes. Under the terms of the retailer's contract, Lottery tickets will be sold during the hours they are open for business and lottery terminals are on-line (5 a.m. until 1 a.m.).

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Q. What are ballsets?

A. A ballset is a group of all the numbered balls used in a drawing for a particular on-line game. For example, in Fantasy 5 there are 39 balls numbered from 1 through 39, this is considered a ballset. Each on-line game has several ballsets which are individually sealed and bound and are assigned a number. There is a random selection for each drawing to determine which ballset will be used.

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Q. How are jackpot prizes paid?

A. The GLC's Board of Directors adopted game rules that determine the criteria for payments of all jackpots. Those rules provide that Mega Millions has jackpots paid out over 26 years. The jackpot prize pool is invested in government securities so that the winners, in effect, receive both the principal and interest on their prizes. If Cash Option is selected on either of those games, cash is paid in one lump sum.

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Q. Where can I play KENO!?

A. The KENO! game was designed to attract those players who would like to have some fun in a social setting where they can linger and spend a few hours. Typical establishments would be restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, salons, etc.

Q. How are jackpot sizes determined?

A. Jackpots are based on sales. By using sales from the previous week, a jackpot is estimated based on a projection of what the sales will be for the coming week. Current interest rates determine the value of the money over the 26-year annuity period (Mega Millions) or the 30-year annuity period (Powerball).

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