FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can play the Lottery?

• Where can I play Lottery games?
  
• Can I subscribe to LOTTO and Little Lotto?
  
• Can I buy tickets in advance?
  
• What is Quick Pick?
  
• How can I find out the LOTTO and Mega Millions jackpots?
• What states participate in Mega Millions
  
• When are the winning Lottery numbers picked?
  
• Where can I find winning numbers?
  
• How do I claim my prize?
  
• How long do I have to claim P3/P4, Little Lotto, Lotto and Mega Millions prizes?
  
• Can more than one person claim a prize?
  
• Do I receive my prize in a one-time cash payment?
  
• Must I pay taxes on my Lottery winnings?
  
• How can I reduce taxes on a major Lottery prize?
  
• What happens to my winnings if I die?
  
• Can I avoid having my name released if I am a winner?
  
• Where do Lottery profits go?
  
• Who determines which school districts receive Lottery profits?
  
• I own a business and want to sell Lottery tickets. What do I need to do?

Who can play the Lottery?

Sorry, kids, but the Lottery isn't kid stuff. But as long as you're 18 years or older, you can play.

Where can I play Lottery games?

Pretty much anywhere would be a fair answer. The Lottery has a statewide network of over 7,500 retail businesses, and the number keeps growing. Retailers range from convenience stores and gas stations to supermarkets (also look for our Instant ticket vending machines). All offer the scratch-off"Instant" games, while most also sell "on-line"games via computer terminal.

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Can I subscribe to LOTTO and Little Lotto?

We want our games to be as fun and easy to play as possible, so we offer subscriptions to both. Many people give them as gifts. (When's the last time you had the chance to give someone a shot at winning millions?) To order, just click here on Subscriptions ,and we'll show you how.

Can I buy tickets in advance?

Not a problem. LOTTO, Mega Millions, and Little Lotto tickets can be purchased in advance for up to 15 consecutive drawings. Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets can be purchased for seven days in advance. Talk about thinking ahead! Just tell your ticket agent you want Advance Play.

What is Quick Pick?

Quick Pick is exactly what it sounds like. The computer randomly draws your numbers, so you can be on your way quick and easy. Just tell your ticket agent you want a Quick Pick, and the work is done.

How can I find out the LOTTO and Mega Millions jackpots?

We announce the next drawing's estimated, single-winner Grand Prize each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Illinois residents can call 1-800-252-1775(or 217/524-5155 for out-of-state folks) any time for jackpot information. We also have the jackpot amounts listed on our Numbers page. Also listen to your local television or radio news broadcast, because they usually spread the word on a regular basis.

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What states participate in Mega Millions

When are the winning Lottery numbers picked?

We draw the winning Lottery numbers live every evening at 9:22 p.m. at WGN-TV studios in Chicago. Chicago's WBBM Radio (780 AM on the dial, as they say) also broadcasts the drawing live. Winning numbers also appear inmost daily newspapers in Illinois, as well as in USA Today. Lottery Retailers are also a good source of information. Just ask, and they'll be happy to tell. Or, if you'd rather not leave the house,call 1-800-252-1775 (toll free in Illinois only) or 217-524- 5156.

Where can I find winning numbers?

Right here! Go to the winning numbers page and you can download all past winning numbers.

How do I claim my prize?

Winners of prizes of $600 or less can collect directly from any Lottery retailer. If you've won more (and wouldn't that be nice) you are required to fill out aclaim form. The claim form can be filed with any retailer or mailed to the Illinois Lottery in Springfield. You'll receive a check within four to six weeks. Of course, we recommend winners of large prizes to mail their claim forms via guaranteed mail -- that form is worth a lot, you know. The Lottery operates seven regional Prize Centers.

Reminder! When you visit a Prize Center to file a claim, you need to bring a photo ID AND some means of verifying your Social Security Number

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How long do I have to claim P3/P4, Little Lotto, Lotto and Mega Millions prizes?

1 year from the drawing date.

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Can more than one person claim a prize?

This depends on the prize amount. If your prize is $600 or less, only one name can appear on the back of the winning ticket.

If your prize is $600 to $999,999, your group can claim a prize if the following procedures are followed: The claim form is filled out in one person's name. The claim form *(PDF) is filed with form IL-5754 (available from the Lottery claim center or the Illinois Department of Revenue). This form must be filled out giving the name, address and Social Security number of each person in your group. Each person listed on the secondary form will receive a check for his or her portion of the winnings.

If your prize is $1 million or more, your group may be entitled to form a partnership and secure a federal identification number. If members of your partnership want individual checks issued, they must state their preference in the formal partnership agreement and must attach the partnership agreement to the claim form *(PDF). Other information, including the names and Social Security numbers of members also will be required.

Do I receive my prize in a one-time cash payment?

This depends on how you want to claim your prize. For the Mega Millions and Lotto, winners have 60 days from the date of the drawing to decide whether to claim a one-time lump sum or a 26-year annuity. The cash option amount is based on current U.S. Treasury bond prices. For a current estimate on the cash amount for Mega Millions and Lotto contact the Illinois Lottery. Those who claim after 60 days after the drawing automatically receive the annuity, where the Lottery purchases a U.S. government-backed security for you. This way, you are paid in annual installations over 26 years. Little Lotto, Pick 3,and Pick 4 prizes are paid in a one-time cash payments. Applicable state and federal taxes will be withheld from all payments, one-time or annual.

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Must I pay taxes on my Lottery winnings?

As they say, "It's the law". Twenty-five percent in Federal tax is withheld from prize amounts over $5,000, and three percent Illinois State tax is withheld from prize amounts of $1,000 or more. Actual tax liability may be more or less, depending on your individual filing status.

How can I reduce taxes on a major Lottery prize?

While we cannot advise players on taxes or the use of their individual prizes, we suggest you do contact an attorney, tax preparer or the Internal Revenue Service (1-800-424-1040) or Illinois Department of Revenue (1-800-732-8866 or 217- 782-3336). As always, a good financial plan will always make your money go further.

What happens to my winnings if I die?

First off, let's not think that way. But in the spirit of being a good provider, here's what you should know. If a winner dies before receiving the entire prize, the balance is paid to the winner's estate (time to get that will in order). The entire prize is guaranteed to be paid. It's your money, and we'll never keep any of it. A winner's heirs have the option to receive all future payments in a one-time, present-value payment.

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Can I avoid having my name released if I am a winner?

To assure other players that prizes are paid to winners, the Lottery makes public the name, home city and amount won. We will not, however, release the addresses or telephone numbers of winners. Multi-million dollar winners must participate in a one-time news conference, but we'll always respect your wishes of privacy as much as possible.

Where do Lottery profits go?

By law, profits from all regular Lottery games are deposited into the state's Common School Fund supporting kindergarten through 12th grade public education. Illinois students and schoolrooms receive nearly $623 million per year in Lottery revenue - about 9.6% of the state's annual contribution to K-12 education. From chalk to computer labs, the dollars you don't win back are going toward a winning cause.

The Illinois Lottery is additionally mandated to conduct lottery games to benefit specific causes. Through June 30, 2006, the Lottery has transferred $2.6 million to the Ticket for the Cure Fund to support breast cancer awareness programs and $1.6 million to the Veterans Assistance Fund to support programs for the benefit of Illinois military veterans.

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Who determines which school districts receive Lottery profits?

The Illinois General Assembly determines how money in the Common School Fund is distributed. Although the Lottery contributes to this fund, we do not decide how that revenue is allocated.

I own a business and want to sell Lottery tickets. What do I need to do?

Your phone call is music to our ears. When we talk, you'll be asked to fill out this application *(PDF) and submit a $50 fee. If you meet licensing requirements and pass a background check (after all, this is big money we're talking about), you will be licensed to sell instant tickets. Instant ticket sellers who later wish to acquire an on-line terminal will be considered based on a number of factors, including demonstrated Instant ticket sales volume and proximity to other businesses that sell on-line Lottery tickets.

* The Claim form and Retail Contract for Sale of Lottery Tickets are in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format. If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed, please visit the Acrobat Reader page of the Adobe website to download your free copy