10 Things Every Player
Should Know!

Learn how to play the games.
Make sure the ticket you want is what you received.
Sign the back of the ticket.
Put the ticket in a safe place until you can check it.
Check your tickets yourself when possible; redeem winnings immediately.
Watch the sale and prize information on Lottery terminal screens.
Check player prize receipts.
Ask to get non-winning tickets back.
Call the Lottery's headquarters at (573) 751-4050 if you have any concerns.
Always play within your means.

1. Learn how to play the games
There are many ways to learn how to play Missouri Lottery games: Look at the Games menu on this Web site. Ask a Missouri Lottery retailer. Look for brochures at retail. Read the play action on the ticket. Contact any Missouri Lottery office.

2. Make sure the ticket you want is what you received.
When you purchase a Missouri Lottery ticket from a retailer, the first thing you should do is check to make sure the ticket you asked for is the ticket you received. Check the numbers wagered, the draw date, amount wagered, etc. An easy way you can ensure you get the ticket you want is by using a Missouri Lottery playslip. Mistakes occasionally happen on both the player’s and the retailer’s part; and the good news is that all online tickets, except Powerball and Mega Millions, can be cancelled at the selling location, if the cancellation occurs before the draw break. Players should also check to make sure that latex on Scratchers tickets is free of any nicks or scratches, which may indicate the ticket might have already been played.

2. Make sure the ticket you want is what you received.

When you purchase a Missouri Lottery ticket from a retailer, the first thing you should do is check to make sure the ticket you asked for is the ticket you received. Check the numbers wagered, the draw date, amount wagered, etc. An easy way you can ensure you get the ticket you want is by using a Missouri Lottery playslip.

Mistakes occasionally happen on both the player’s and the retailer’s part; and the good news is that all online tickets, except Powerball and Mega Millions, can be cancelled at the selling location, if the cancellation occurs before the draw break.

Players should also check to make sure that latex on Scratchers tickets is free of any nicks or scratches, which may indicate the ticket might have already been played.

3. Sign the back of the ticket.
Always treat Lottery tickets as if they are winners until you know otherwise. The best way to protect your winnings is to simply sign your ticket immediately. Winning tickets of $600 or less can typically be redeemed by our retailers. Just sign the ticket and present it to the clerk for redemption. If you have a winning ticket worth more than $600, sign the back immediately and put it in a safe place until you can take it to a Lottery office to claim your prize.

3. Sign the back of the ticket.

Always treat Lottery tickets as if they are winners until you know otherwise.

The best way to protect your winnings is to simply sign your ticket immediately.
Winning tickets of $600 or less can typically be redeemed by our retailers. Just sign the ticket and present it to the clerk for redemption. If you have a winning ticket worth more than $600, sign the back immediately and put it in a safe place until you can take it to a Lottery office to claim your prize.

4. Put the ticket in a safe place until you can check it.
The Lottery has heard of players leaving their “winning” tickets above their car visors, on the floorboard of their trucks, pinned to their refrigerator during the holidays, packed away in pants pockets, in coolers, on copy machines, etc. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a big prize because you couldn’t find your ticket; you must have a ticket to claim a prize.

5. Check your tickets yourself when possible; redeem winnings immediately.

Missouri Lottery players who buy Numbers Games tickets (Lotto, Powerball, Show Me Cash, Mega Millions, Pick 4, Pick 3, Club Keno and Lucky Dough) have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize.

Checking online tickets is easy:

By using a Check-A-Ticket machine found at many Lottery retail locations.
By asking for a Winning Numbers Report from any Numbers Games retailer.
By looking on the Lottery’s Web site.
By watching streamed drawings of Lotto, Show Me Cash, Pick 4 and Pick 3 drawings.
By calling any Missouri Lottery recorded hot line or office. Historical lists of winning numbers are also available.
By having winning numbers sent to you in a text message. Sign up by opening a free My Lottery account.

Scratchers winners have 180 days from the game’s official end date to claim a prize. "Game Ended" dates can be found on the main Scratchers page.

Scratchers tickets can be checked by sight or by scanning the ticket on an online terminal. All Scratchers games are listed on the Lottery’s Web site, along with how to play the games. Prizes offered and prizes remaining can also be found on the Lottery’s Web site.

When in doubt, call one of the Missouri Lottery offices located in Jefferson City, Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis, and a customer service representative will be happy to assist you!

6. Watch the sale and prize information on Lottery terminal screens.

	The Lottery has something called VFD screens on ALL Missouri Lottery terminals. These approximately 4-by-9 inch screens display the prize amount when a winning Numbers Game or Scratchers ticket is scanned. If you are unable to see this screen, position yourself where you can see it before your ticket is scanned, so you can see your prize winnings.
	Approximately half of our retailers – 2,500 – also have larger monitors (approximately 15-by-16 inches) that display all sales and redemption transactions.

7. Check player prize receipts.

The Missouri Lottery terminals currently print player prize receipts for all online validations (Numbers Games such as Lotto, Powerball, Mega Millions, Pick 4, Pick 3, Club Keno and Lucky Dough).

Ask for the receipt after your ticket is validated, if you would like to verify the amount.

8. Ask to get non-winning tickets back.
By asking for your non-winning ticket back and disposing of it yourself, you: Eliminate any suspicions that the clerk might be keeping an actual winning ticket from you. Prevent someone else from potentially using your ticket as a second-chance entry. Prevent counters and floors from becoming littered.

8. Ask to get non-winning tickets back.

By asking for your non-winning ticket back and disposing of it yourself, you:

Eliminate any suspicions that the clerk might be keeping an actual winning ticket from you.
Prevent someone else from potentially using your ticket as a second-chance entry.
Prevent counters and floors from becoming littered.

9. Call the Lottery's headquarters at (573) 751-4050 if you have any concerns.
The Lottery’s Customer Care Unit (CCU) will be able to help you determine if your ticket might be a winner. They will also be able to connect you with the Lottery’s Security division, if you have concerns about your lottery transaction.

10. Always play within your means.
Missouri Lottery players are always reminded to play within your means: it only takes $1 to win. If you or someone you know has a problem playing responsibly, free help is available. Please call the free help line, 1-888-BETSOFF – or go to BETSOFF.org for more information.

10 Things Every Player Should Know!

10 Things Every Player
Should Know!