You Won? You Won!
Congratulations! Let’s walk through how to claim your winnings. Start by selecting one of the options below based on the amount you won.
Prizes over $600, Including Prizes of $1 Million and Above
Illinois Lottery Extends Prize Claim Period for Lottery Prizes
The Illinois Lottery has extended the timeframe in which winners can claim prizes during the COVID-19 crisis. For players with prizes that were set to expire between now and July 31, 2020, the Lottery is extending the time allowed for players to claim those winning tickets through July 31, 2020.
For instant ticket game expiration dates please see https://www.illinoislottery.com/about-the-games/game-expiration-dates
To check draw-based game results by date, please see https://www.illinoislottery.com/results-hub.
Players with questions can contact the Player Hotline at 1-800-252-1775 or [email protected].
For Prizes Up To $600
Although most local lottery retailers will cash winning tickets that are up to $600. Their ability to cash winning tickets is subject to fund availability and the individual retailer’s preference.
You can also cash lower denomination winning lottery tickets (up to $600) at any of the Prize Claim Centers around the state. Note: the JRTC claim center is currently closed.
We encourage players to mail your winning ticket along with a completed claim form to the Illinois Lottery Claims Department. See instructions of how to mail in a prize claim.
Prizes Over $600, Including Prizes of $1 Million and Above
When you visit a prize center for any prize over $600, you need a photo ID and your social security card or an official document containing your social security number. For information on current claim center process see Updates from the Illinois Lottery.
Due to our claim centers being closed, we are asking winners to claim prizes via mail. Follow these steps to claim your win:
For prizes greater than $25,000, you may select to have your winnings directly deposited into your bank account. If you choose this option, you must complete and submit the original direct deposit form, along with a voided check, in person to a prize claim center or by mail to the following address:
Illinois Lottery Claims Department
P.O. Box 19080
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9912
If you have any questions on mailing your claim, email the Illinois Lottery Claims Department at [email protected].
If you won over $1 million please call the Illinois Lottery Claims Department at (217)-524-5147 immediately!
Prizes Won Online
When you play online, winnings under $600 are automatically added to your account.
Winnings over $600 need to be processed by the Illinois Lottery Claims department either in person at one of our claim centers or by mail. See instructions of how to mail in a prize claim below.
Claim prize via mail
If you would like to mail in your claim instead of visiting a prize claim center. Follow these steps to claim your win by mail:
Sign the back of your ticket
Print and fill out a claim form and winner questionnaire
Make and keep a copy of your ticket and claim form
Place the original ticket, claim form and winner questionnaire in an envelope
Include your return address on the envelope
Address the envelope to:
Illinois Lottery Claims Department
P.O. Box 19080
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9912
Mail your claim via registered mail
When You Win
First, sign the back of your ticket if purchased in retail.
Second, follow the appropriate claim process based on the amount you won. You could claim your prize, depending on the prize amount: at retail, at a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.
- Third, make sure you claim your prize in time:
- Mega Millions®, Powerball®, Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto®, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Fast Play™ prizes must be claimed within one year after the drawing date.
- Winners of Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lotto may choose a lump sum payment or annuity payments. In order to opt for the lump sum payment, the prize must be claimed within 60 days of the drawing date. Winners who claim after that time can only receive the annuity payment.
- Instant Ticket prizes must be claimed within one year after the game’s announced end date; you can check end dates here.
Please Note:
- Please claim your prize using only one of the four ways offered. Trying to claim through multiple options may cause a delay in payment.
- If you have won on multiple tickets, you may redeem them in a single Claim Center appointment.
- If you won on a Fast Play Scan-N-Play ticket, please make sure you hold onto your physical ticket and claim it in one of the four ways offered.
- When you play online, here’s how to claim depending on the size of your prize:
- Winnings of $600 or less will be automatically added to your online account wallet. However, if such winnings cause your total account balance to exceed $2,000, the excess winnings will be sent to you via check.
- Winnings over $600 through $10,000 must be claimed at a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.
- Winnings over $10,000 must be claimed at a Claim Center or by mail.
- If you plan to claim your prize via a Claim Center, you MUST make an appointment.
If you have questions about the claims process, please see our FAQs, call the Player Hotline at 1-800-252-1775, or email the Illinois Lottery Claims Department at [email protected].
Select from the options below to learn more about making a claim based on your prize amount or the four ways to make a claim.
Prizes From $10,000 To $1 Million
If your winning ticket is from $10,000 to $1 Million, winners have two options to claim their prizes:
- In person by appointment only
- By mail - You can do this by completing the claim form and sending the required documents. Once processed, your winnings will be mailed to you in the form of a check.
Prizes Over $1 Million
Congratulations on your massive win! Please call the Illinois Lottery Claims Department at (217) 524-5147 immediately if you have won over $1 million.
If you have questions about any of the processes for claiming, please see our FAQs or call the Player Hotline at 1-800-252-1775.
In order to claim your prize successfully, we ask players to follow these guidelines on the day of their appointment:
- Bring a mask and wear it at all times in the Claim Center.
- Bring a completed claim form and winner questionnaire, found in a single downloadable packet here.
- Bring a photo ID and proof of Social Security number. Acceptable documents include: Social Security card, federal or state tax return, W-2 or W-2G tax statement, etc.
- Sign your winning ticket and bring it with you.
- Please come to the Claim Center alone, unless assistance is needed.
No walk-ins will be accepted.
Claims FAQ
What happens if I have multiple tickets to claim?
Congratulations on your winning streak! You may redeem multiple tickets in a single Claim Center appointment. Please fill out a claim form for each winning ticket and make your Claim Center appointment above.
Can I collect my prize via direct deposit?
For prizes greater than $25,000, you may select to have your winnings directly deposited into your bank account. If you choose this option, you must complete and submit the original direct deposit form, along with a voided check, in-person to a prize Claim Center or by mail to the following address:
Illinois Lottery Claims Department
P.O. Box 19080
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9912
What do I need to bring to the claim center?
When you come to the Claim Center, make sure you bring the following:
A mask and wear it at all times in the Claim Center.
Bring a completed claim form and winner questionnaire.
- A Photo ID
- Bring proof of SSN (any one of the acceptable items listed below).
- Social Security card
- W-2 or W-2G
- 1099 form
- Paystub (with your name and full Social Security number on it).
- Social Security Administration documents
- Federal or State tax return
Signed winning ticket
What happens if I won online?
When you play online, winnings under $600 are automatically added to your account.
Winnings over $600 must be processed either in person at one of our Claim Centers or by mail. See instructions on how to mail in a prize claim above.
Winner's HandBook
View the Illinois Lottery Winner's Handbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
View the Winning FAQs for more information.
Prize Claim Center Locations
Reminder! When you visit a claim center to file a claim for any prize amount over $600, you need to bring a photo ID, AND your Social Security Card or some acceptable means of verifying your Social Security Number.
Claim Center Locations
CHICAGO George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building *Note: JRTC is closed.
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DES PLAINES Regional Office 1, 2, & 6 |
ROCKFORD Regional Office 3 |
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS Illinois Lottery, Region 4 |
SPRINGFIELD Regional Office 5 & Lottery Central Prize Center Region 5 Telephone: 217/321-4751 Lottery Central/Player Hotline |
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| Holiday | 2020 |
| New Year's Day | Wednesday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Day | Monday, January 20 |
| Lincoln's Birthday | Wednesday, February 12 |
| President's Day | Monday, February 17 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 |
| Independence Day | Friday, July 3 (Observed) |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7 |
| Columbus Day | Monday, October 12 |
| General Election Day | Tuesday, November 3 |
| Veteran's Day | Wednesday, November 11 |
| Thanksgiving | Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27 |
| Christmas | Friday, December 25 |
What Play Makes Possible
By law, profits from all regular Lottery games are deposited into the state's Common School Fund, supporting kindergarten through 12th grade public education. Illinois students and schoolrooms receive nearly $731 million per year in Lottery revenue - about 9.6% of the state's annual contribution to K-12 education. (That's a lot of chalk).
The Illinois Lottery is additionally mandated to conduct Lottery games that benefit specific causes. The lottery supports the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure, the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, Red Ribbon Cash (HIV/AIDS Prevention), MS Mission Move (supports Multiple Sclerosis Research), and Special Olympics. Learn more about the specific causes Illinois Lottery helps.