Beginning July 1, 2009 players will have more time to claim Scratch-off and Pull-Tab prizes after the game’s end date. The 2009 Indiana General Assembly approved a bill to extend Scratch-off and Pull-Tab claim periods from 60 to 180 days after the announced end date.

Existing Scratch-off and Pull-Tab games that already have an announced end date on or after May 2, 2009 will also have an additional amount of time to be claimed.

These games include:

Q. Please explain the change the legislature made to the lottery law concerning Scratch-off and Pull-Tab prize redemption?
A. The 2009 Indiana General Assembly adopted a law which extends the redemption period on Instant game winning tickets (Scratch-off & Pull-Tab games) from 60 days to 180 days after the announced end date.

Q. How will this change affect Hoosier Lottery players?
A. Hoosier Lottery players will have more time to cash their winning Scratch-off and Pull-Tab tickets. Starting July 1, 2009, Hoosier Lottery players will have 180 days (instead of 60 days) from the announced end date of games to redeem prizes.

Q. Is the Hoosier Lottery in favor of this change?
A. Yes. The Hoosier Lottery is in the business of awarding prizes. The extra time will allow players to redeem Scratch-off and Pull-Tab prizes for an additional 120 days.

Q. Will the new law affect the draw game’s (such as Powerball and Quick Draw) redemption period?
A. No. The draw game redemption period is already 180 days (from the date of the draw) to claim a prize. The law change will make the redemption period for draw games and instant games the same length of time.

Q. Will the law change affect retailers?
A. No. Players will still come into retail outlets to redeem their winning tickets. However, a gain for retailers is the added time to redeem Scratch-off and Pull-Tab prizes could increase their cashing commissions.

Q. Where can I go to find end dates for Scratch-off tickets?
A. Players can log onto www.hoosierlottery.com or call Hoosier Lottery Customer Service (800-955-6886) for the latest game closing information.

Q. Will the law change affect Scratch-off or Pull-Tab games that closed prior to July 1st but whose end date has not yet passed?
A. Yes. All Scratch-off and Pull-Tab games closed May 2, 2009 or later will be affected by the change in the redemption period. As of May 28, the following games are affected. The listing also includes new end dates (effective on the Hoosier Lottery system June 30, 2009):

Q. What happens if the 180 redemption period ends on a weekend or holiday?
A. For prizes of $599 or less, winning tickets can be redeemed at Hoosier Lottery retailers. For prizes of $600 or more, winning tickets must be redeemed at a Hoosier Lottery office during normal business hours, which are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  If an instant prize must be claimed at a Hoosier Lottery Office and the one hundred eighty (180) day claim period ends on a day that the offices of the Hoosier Lottery are closed, the instant prize may be claimed on the next business day that Hoosier Lottery offices are open.

Q. I was on your Web site on June 30. When I went back to your site on July 1, claim dates changed. What happened?
A. The new law went into effect at midnight on July 1, changing the last date to claim from 60 days to 180 days after the announced end date for Instant tickets (Scratch-off & Pull-Tab). Our systems were modified to reflect the new law and the claim dates on existing games were changed.