Lottery Q&A

Learn all about lotteries and lottery services on the web. How to fill out a lottery form online, and how to claim the prize in case you win? The chances may be slim, but you can help your odds by reading the answers to these and other questions.

How much tax is taken out of lottery prize money?

Tax is taken off the prize money, yes. Lottery winnings are subject to local and federal taxes as they are considered income. How much taxes are taken out depends entirely on where the winner's place of residence is found to be.

How to claim your lottery prize?

The payment structure for lottery prizes is stated on the back of each lottery ticket bought. You usually have a choice of either a lump sum or annual payments - meaning you would get a certain amount of money each year until the full amount is reached.

How to collect your lottery prize winnings?

In the USA, any lottery prizes won up to and including $600 can be claimed at any licensed lottery retail location in the State the ticket was purchased in. Prizes over $600 and up to $500,000 must be cashed in at a regional customer service center. Any winnings greater than $500,000 usually are sent to the main customer service center in order to be verified and paid out.

Must you be a citizen or resident to play a state lottery?

No. As long as you are 18 years of age or older - depends on each specific lottery and its regulations, you may play any state's lottery and claim an out-of-state winning by filling out the back of the winning ticket and submitting it to that states prize claiming division.

What are automatic lottery services?

Automatic services are another name for subscriptions to certain lotteries. They are a way for a subscriber to play the same set of numbers in every single drawing for a specific game for the length of time he or she chooses. It saves time and anxiety about making sure you get your numbers right, and means less trips to the lottery retailer.