Checking a ticket takes a minute, but it is easy to get wrong, and an unchecked winning ticket is worth nothing once the claim period ends. Follow these steps.
Step by step
- Sign the back of the ticket. In most states an unsigned ticket belongs to whoever holds it, so sign it as soon as you buy it.
- Match the draw date. Make sure the drawing date printed on your ticket is the one you are checking. Tickets can cover several consecutive drawings.
- Get the official numbers. Our Powerball and Mega Millions pages show the latest results, but for a ticket you plan to claim, always confirm against your state lottery or the official game website.
- Compare the white balls and the special ball separately. The white numbers can be in any order. The Powerball or Mega Ball is matched on its own, and a match on just that ball can still be a prize.
- Check the multiplier. If you added Power Play, or are playing Mega Millions with its built-in multiplier, a non-jackpot prize may be multiplied by the number drawn for that game.
- Check Double Play and extras. Some tickets have a separate Double Play drawing with its own numbers.
- Scan to confirm. A lottery retailer’s ticket checker or your state lottery’s official mobile app will read the barcode and tell you what the ticket won.
If you have a winner
- Do not throw anything away. Keep the original ticket somewhere safe. Photograph the front and back.
- Know your claim deadline. It varies by state, commonly from 90 days to a year after the drawing. Check your state lottery’s rules.
- Small prizes can usually be claimed at a retailer. Larger prizes must be claimed at a lottery office or by mail, following your state’s process.
- Expect taxes. Lottery prizes are taxable income, and federal tax is typically withheld on larger prizes. A tax professional can explain what applies to you.
- For a major prize, consider speaking with a financial advisor and attorney before you claim. Some states allow prizes to be claimed through a trust or limited-liability company.
Common mistakes
- Checking the wrong date, or a ticket for a different game.
- Ignoring a small prize because only the special ball matched.
- Forgetting that old tickets can still be winners until the claim period ends.
- Relying on an unofficial site for a big win. Always verify with the lottery.
Ready to play again? Try the free number generator or read our odds explainer.
GoWinLotto is an independent site and is not affiliated with any lottery. Figures above are published game rules and can change; confirm details with the official game website or your state lottery. Lottery drawings are random, no tool can predict them, and tickets should be treated as entertainment. Need help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.