This page provides all the information you need to claim prizes won on New York Lottery games, so you can find out what to do if you win the lottery.
You can claim lottery prizes of any value in New York as long as you bought your ticket within the state. Prizes for multi-state lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions must be claimed in the state in which the ticket was purchased.
You have one year from the date of the winning draw to claim your prize. Any money left unclaimed after this period will go back into the prize pool for future draws or it will be used to subsidize special events or jackpots in the future. All scratch-off prizes must be claimed within one year after the announced cash deadline date.
How to Claim Prizes up to and including $600
You can claim your prize from any licensed retailer in New York. Simply take the winning ticket to a retailer to have it validated and if the prize is worth $600 or less you will be paid out immediately. You can also claim Take 5 Quick Pick free plays from licensed lottery retailers.
If you turn in your winning ticket at a retailer and you have won a prize worth more than $600, you will be given a File Claim receipt to show that the ticket has been validated. You will need to take this receipt, along with your winning ticket (make sure to get it back from the retailer), to one of the New York Lottery’s Customer Service Centers. Please see below for further details.
You can also claim prizes up to $600 directly from a Customer Service Center, without the need to visit a retailer first.
How to claim Prizes over $600
Prizes of this amount must be claimed from one of the NY Lottery’s Customer Service Centers or by mail. Due to coronavirus, some of the Customer Service Centers are temporarily closed. Go to the Customer Service Centers page to find a list of those that are currently accepting claims.
To claim, you must schedule an appointment at one of the centers that is currently open; walk-in claims are not accepted. You must also wear a face covering to your appointment and present the following documents:
- Signed winning ticket
- Valid government-issued ID
- A completed Winners Claim Form
You are advised to make a copy of your winning ticket and completed claim form prior to your appointment, as the original documents will not be returned to you. Prizes will be processed at the Customer Service Center, unless it is a Mega Millions prize over $500,000 or a Powerball prize of $50,000 or more. Claims for those prizes will be forwarded to the NY Lottery’s Schenectady office to be processed.
Long Island Prize Claim Drop Box
You can also claim prizes of any amount by using the secure Prize Claim Drop Box at the Long Island Customer Service Center. You do not need to make an appointment to use the Drop Box, but you must deposit your ticket during regular business hours and include the following documents for your claim to be processed:
- Original winning ticket, signed
- Completed Winners Claim Form
- Copy of valid government-issued ID
Winning tickets must be deposited in the Prize Claim Drop Box at least one day before the ticket’s expiration date.
Claim by Mail
Prizes of any value can also be claimed by mailing the winning ticket to the New York Lottery’s headquarters at the address below. For prizes of $601 or more, you will need to send a completed claim form with the winning ticket. If you bought a ticket for a New York Lottery game but reside overseas, you can also claim prizes by mail.
New York Lottery
PO Box 7533
Schenectady
NY 12301-7533
Mail-in claims must be postmarked at least 24 hours before the expiration date of the winning ticket. You are strongly encouraged to send claims by certified mail and include a return address.
Lost and Damaged Tickets
You can still claim prizes with damaged tickets, as long as they can be validated. If you have a winning ticket but it is damaged to the extent that it cannot be validated by a retailer, you should sign the back of it if possible and mail it to the New York Gaming Commission at the address below. Make sure to include your contact details, such as your telephone number and email address, so a representative can get in touch with you if necessary.
New York State Gaming Commission
One Broadway Center
P.O. Box 7500
Schenectady, NY 12301-7500
If you lose your lottery ticket you will not be able to claim any prizes it wins. New York lottery tickets are bearer instruments, meaning that whoever is in possession of a winning ticket is able to claim the prize. Always sign the back of your ticket and if you lose it get in touch with one of the New York Lottery’s Customer Service Centers as soon as possible.
