Winning FAQs

A Prize won in retail, depending on the prize amount, can be claimed in one of four ways:

• At retail
• At a Claim Center
• By mail
• Via e-Claim

For more information on prize amounts and ways to claim prizes, visit When You Win. 

To learn more about filing an e-Claim, check out our How to submit an e-Claim video.

When you play online, prizes of $600 or less are automatically deposited into your account. However, if such winnings cause your total account balance to exceed $2,000, the winnings will be sent to you via check. You can either transfer the winnings in your Illinois Lottery account to your bank account, request a check, or use them to play again.

Prizes over $600, depending on the prize amount, can also be claimed in one of three ways: 

• At a Claim Center
• By mail
• Via e-Claim

For more information on prize amounts and ways to claim prizes, visit When You Win. 

Yes, you must make an appointment to visit a Claim Center. Please click here to make an appointment.

Please do the following:

Bring a completed claim form and winner questionnaire, your signed winning ticket(s), a photo ID, and proof of Social Security number (SSN). Proper ID documents include a Valid Driver’s License, Valid State ID, Passport, Military ID, or Resident Alien ID Card. Acceptable SSN documents include a Social Security card, Federal or State tax return, W-2 or W-2G tax statement, or a 1099 tax form. Also, please come to the Prize Claim Center alone unless you require assistance.

Below is a list of Claim Centers and their addresses; please use this list to help you determine which is the closest one to you:

CHICAGO
          George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building
69 W. Washington
Suite LL06
Chicago, IL 60601
1-312-793-2385
8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

DES PLAINES
Regional Office 1, 2, & 6
9511 Harrison St.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
1-847-294-4851
8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

ROCKFORD
Regional Office 3
200 S. Wyman St.
Rockford, IL 61101
1-815-987-7018
8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS
Regional Office 4
15 Executive Drive
Suite One
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
1-618-624-8670
8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

SPRINGFIELD
          Central Lottery Office
404 N 5th St,
Springfield, IL 62702
1-217-524-5147
8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

Mega Millions®, Powerball®, Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto® Pick 3, Pick 4, and Fast Play™ prizes must be claimed within one year from 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.

If you have won on multiple tickets, you may redeem them in a single Claim Center appointment.

For prizes greater than $25,000, you may elect to have your winnings directly deposited into your bank account. If you choose this option, you must submit an original completed direct deposit form, along with a voided check marked “VOID”, at a Claim Center or by mail to the following address: 

Illinois Lottery Claims Department
          P.O. Box 19080
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9912

You must pay taxes on Illinois Lottery prizes. Therefore, we strongly suggest players contact a financial planner, tax attorney or preparer, the Internal Revenue Service (1-800-424-1040), and/or the Illinois Department of Revenue (1-800-732-8866 or 1-217-782-3336) for more information.

We cannot advise players on taxes. We strongly suggest you contact a financial planner, tax attorney or preparer, the Internal Revenue Service (1-800-424-1040), and/or the Illinois Department of Revenue (1-800-732-8866 or 1-217-782-3336).

If a winner dies before receiving the entire prize, the balance is paid to their estate. However, under certain circumstances, the prize winner’s estate or trust may have the option to receive all future payments as a one-time, net present-value payment. That payment amount would be determined in accordance with applicable State laws and administrative rules.

If your prize is $250,000 or greater, you may request to keep your name and municipality of residence confidential by indicating that choice on the  Illinois Lottery Winner Claim Form. You must make this request at the time of claiming the prize. If you do not, to assure the public that prizes are won and awarded, the Illinois Lottery will routinely publish winner information, including the winner’s name, home city, and the amount won. However, the Illinois Lottery does not publish winners’ addresses, telephone numbers, or other personal information. In addition, multimillion-dollar winners may be asked to participate in publicity events (e.g., publicly receiving an oversized souvenir check).