The Lottery is fun. Entertaining. Exciting. So naturally people want to know about us. Here, you'll find answers to some of the most popular questions we've gotten.

Click on your area of interest or scroll down to read everything.

Why do you have schools select the LOT Scholarship candidates?
Officials at each New York State eligible public and private high school can exercise their discretion in choosing the selection process for scholarship candidates, based on criteria provided by the New York Lottery. Since there are varying populations, class sizes and administrations across the State, these local officials are in the best position to decide what two students should be recommended to the statewide selection committee in Albany. For more information on the LOT Scholarship program, click here.

How do I claim a Lottery prize?

Where can I find a claim center?

Easy! Click here for a list.

What are the tax implications for winning a Lottery prize?
For more information on tax liabilities, click here.

What happens to my remaining jackpot payments if I die?
By statute, your estate is entitled to receive any remaining annual payments.

Why are there no drawings on Christmas Day?
While it may appear like the Lottery takes a day off on December 25th, our retail operations and computer operations are still very much at work. The decision to suspend drawings for one day was, and still is, a practical one. In order to air the drawings, the support of not only Lottery staff, but a variety of external organizations are needed as well (e.g. the camera operators, draw team, production team, broadcast stations and satellite uplink facilities, independent auditors, etc.). While the Lottery may be able to require staff to work on this day, we do not have control over the other organizations who are critical to the production and broadcast of our daily drawings.

How can I obtain all the drawing results for particular Lottery games?
Past winning numbers for most of our Lottery draw games for the past 5 years are available on our Web site www.nylottery.org

Players may also obtain these results by calling 518-388-3300 or by writing to: New York Lottery, One Broadway Center, P.O. Box 7500, Schenectady, NY 12301-7500.

Historical lists of winning numbers for each game may be generated under the rules of the Freedom of Information Law.  Copies of these lists may be obtained for a fee of $.25 per page.  Please send your request in writing to:

New York Lottery

Attn:  Records Access Officer

One Broadway Center

P.O. Box 7500

Schenectady, NY 12301-7500

Click HERE to submit your request online.

How does the Lottery set the LOTTO jackpots?
The estimation of Lotto jackpots is based upon projected sales. Sales are estimated based upon recent historic trends, weather, competing jackpots and the amount to which potential players are distracted by current events. Once sales are estimated, the jackpot is set using a formula regarding how much of each sales dollar goes to the jackpot. This amount of cash is then multiplied by a factor to estimate the announced jackpot annuity value.
The jackpot factor is based on the market for 100% U.S. government guaranteed treasury securities. The factor takes into consideration the amount of each scheduled annual payment and the expected interest earned on funds to support those payments. The expected interest rates are estimated before the drawing. Real-time market information (based upon quotes from several brokers) from the first working day after the drawing is used to set the particular drawing’s factor.

How does the Lottery set the jackpots for the Mega Millions multi-state game?
The estimation of Mega Millions jackpots is based using projected sales. Sales are estimated by a Finance Committee consisting of Finance personnel from each Mega Millions state. The committee bases its estimate upon recent historic trends, weather, competing jackpots and the amount to which potential players are distracted by current events. Once sales are estimated, the jackpot is set using a formula regarding how much of each sales dollar goes to the jackpot. This amount of cash is then multiplied by a factor to estimate the announced jackpot annuity value. The Directors of the Mega Millions states have the final decision on setting jackpot levels.
The jackpot factor is based on the market for 100% U.S. government guaranteed treasury securities. The factor takes into consideration the amount of each scheduled annual payment and the expected interest earned on funds to support those payments. The expected interest rates are estimated before the drawing using real-time market information.

What is the difference between the two jackpot payment options and do I have to choose an option at the time I purchase my Lotto or Mega Millions ticket or a Lotto subscription?

When purchasing a Lotto or Mega Millions ticket, you must choose a jackpot payment option on your playcard at the time of purchase. If you do not choose an option, the playcard will reject and the retailer will return your playcard to you to choose one. If you do not choose an option when subscribing, you will automatically receive the “Lump Sum Cash Value” option.  If you would like to receive your jackpot prize in one lump sum payment, you should choose the “Lump Sum Cash Value” option. Please note if you choose this option, you will receive the estimated present cash value of the advertised jackpot amount. This amount will be less than the advertised jackpot. If you would like to receive annual payments, you should choose the “26 Annual Payments” option. You will receive an initial payment at your press conference and then an annual payment for the next 25 years. If you win Lotto, those prize payments will be graduated payments, increasing in amount each year. If you win Mega Millions, your prize payment amount will remain the same each year.

Why do some retailers continue to sell an Instant game ticket even after the last top prize for that game has been sold?
The New York Lottery maintans a strict policy to recall and replace all outstanding instant tickets as soon as the final top prize in any particular game has been claimed. There is a disclaimer on the back of all of instant tickets to let our customers know that there may be the possibility that the retailer has not yet replaced the tickets. If you find a retailer that continues to sell an instant game ticket after the last top prize has been sold, we'd like to know about it so we can notify the store and replace the tickets ASAP.  For more information on top prizes on Instant Games, click here.

How long does it take to become a retailer?
It takes approximately 30 - 60 days for the entire license approval process to be completed. Once the application is approved, the installation of the terminals may begin.