Oklahoma Lottery Overview
On November 2, 2004, Oklahomans overwhelmingly voted to pass the “Oklahoma Education Act.” Net proceeds of all lottery games will be used to support improvements and enhancements for educational purposes and programs; furthermore, net proceeds will be used to SUPPLEMENT rather than replace existing funds for education. Proceeds will benefit all levels of education from Pre-K to higher education. For more details you can find a copy of the “Oklahoma Education Act” on our website at http://www.lottery.ok.gov/history.asp.

The modern-day lottery era officially began in 1964, with the New Hampshire Lottery conducting the first lottery drawing on September 12. Since then, 42 U.S. jurisdictions have authorized the sale of lottery tickets.

Funds Transferred into the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund
The Oklahoma Lottery Commission (OLC) announced that total ticket sales for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 were $204.86 million, with total transfers to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund exceeding $65 million.

Lawmakers established the Lottery's inaugural fiscal-year appropriation goal months in advance of the start of sales. In one of the fastest start-ups in modern-day lottery history, the Oklahoma Lottery launched its Scratcher games October 12, 2005, followed by Pick 3 on November 10 and Powerball on January 12, 2006.

Below is a breakdown of how the funds will be utilized:

45% - Kindergarten through 12th Grade Public Education, including but not limited to compensation and benefits for public school teachers and support employees, and early childhood development programs. 45% - Tuition grants, loans and scholarships to citizens of this state to enable such citizens to attend colleges and universities located within this state, construction of educational facilities, capital outlay programs and technology for all levels of education, endowed chairs for professors at institutions and programs & personnel of the Oklahoma School for the Deaf and the Oklahoma School for the Blind. 5% - Teachers' Retirement System Dedicated Revenue Revolving Fund. 5% - School Consolidation and Assistance Fund.

How can I become a Oklahoma Lottery Retailer?
Only businesses located within the state of Oklahoma can be Oklahoma Lottery retailers. You can download a copy of the Oklahoma Lottery Retailer Application at www.lottery.ok.gov/prospectiveretailerapplication and mail it to the Oklahoma Lottery Headquarters.

Where is the Lottery Headquarters located?
3817 N. Santa Fe   •   Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Telephone: 405-522-7700   •   Toll Free:  888-752-9652   •   Fax 405-521-0528

Where can I purchase lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased at lottery contracted retail outlets across the state. Convenience stores (with and without gasoline), supermarkets and grocery stores comprise the lion's share of the retail network. The Lottery continues to add new retailers on a regular basis. If you would like to find a retailer nearest to you, just go to http://www.lottery.ok.gov/find_a_retailer.asp and type in your zip code.

How much do tickets cost?
Tickets vary in price from game to game. The minimum ticket price is $1.

Can I claim my prize by mail?
Yes. You can claim any prize by mail. Complete our prize claim form (available on our website and from Lottery retailers), sign the back of your ticket and provide copies of the requested identification. Mail the completed information to:
            Oklahoma Lottery  •  P.O. Box 548810  •  Oklahoma City, OK 73154-8810
Please be sure to sign the back of your winning ticket. For larger prizes, we recommend you send your ticket via certified or registered mail.

Where can I claim my prizes?
All cash prizes under $600 can be redeemed at ANY participating retailer across the state. Yes, you can cash in your ticket right away! The Oklahoma Lottery now has 14 additional authorized Oklahoma Lottery Claim Centers for winners to redeem their prize. For prizes over $5,000, they must be claimed at the Oklahoma Lottery headquarters. Authorized Claim Centers can now cash winning tickets up to $5,000. Store hours for cashing are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday.

Authorized Claim Redemption Centers

Who can play the Lottery?
Anyone 18 years of age or older can play and win.

How does Oklahoma Education receive the promised funds?
All net proceeds from ticket sales are deposited in a separate bank account. Quarterly, the Oklahoma Lottery Commission will transfer 30% of those proceeds to the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund. This Trust Fund is administered by the Office of the State Treasurer. The Oklahoma Lottery Commission (OLC) announced that total ticket sales for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 were $204.86 million, with total transfers to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund exceeding $65 million. As of April 2008, the Oklahoma Lottery Commission has transferred $175 million to the Trust.

Are prizes taxable?
For all prizes over $600, the Lottery will issue a federal form W2-G to the winner. For all prizes over $5,000, all applicable state and federal taxes will automatically be withheld, 4% State and 25% Federal.

How long do I have to collect a prize?
Scratchers: 90 days from announced game end date, you can view the game ending schedule for individual Scratchers by going to http://www.lottery.ok.gov/scratchers_ended.asp.

All online games including Pick 3, Oklahoma Cash 5, Hot Lotto and Powerball: 180 days from drawing date.

Can you write off non-winning lottery tickets on your taxes?
Always check with your financial/tax advisor concerning your taxes.

Can I buy lottery tickets by mail?
No. Oklahoma Lottery tickets must be purchased at a retailer under contract with the Lottery. Federal law and postal regulations do not allow an unplayed lottery ticket to be mailed.

What happens if I lose my winning ticket?
Losing a lottery ticket is like losing cash. Protect yourself by signing the back of your tickets when you buy them. At the very least, sign any winning tickets even before claiming your prize. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments. Unless you sign a ticket, anyone else who has the ticket can claim the prize.

Can I purchase lottery tickets over the Internet? Will this ever be an option?
No. You cannot purchase Oklahoma Lottery tickets over the Internet, and it is unlikely you will be able to do so any time soon. All Lottery tickets must be purchased in-person at a contracted lottery retail outlet.

Can I purchase lottery tickets from a retailer with a check, check card or debit card?
No. All Oklahoma Lottery tickets must be purchased with cash only.

Why is it that with odds of 1 in 4, I can sometimes buy 10 tickets in a row and not get a winner?
Stated odds are based on the entire game. Our game production process limits the strings of non-winning tickets, it is possible to have several winning tickets, or none, in a string of 10. The Lottery does not know where winning tickets are placed. The program that determines random placement is audited.

What happens to all the prize money when someone forgets to cash a winning ticket?
It is different in each state. In Oklahoma, the first $500,000 of unclaimed prize monies shall be transferred to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the treatment of compulsive gambling disorder and educational programs related to such disorder annually. All other unclaimed prizes will be added back to the overall prize pool to be awarded for future prizes or special prize promotions, and if not used, will be distributed to education.

What if I suspect a potential lottery scam?
If you become, or suspect that you have or may become a victim of a lottery-related crime, contact the Oklahoma Lottery Security at (405) 522-7765. You can also find helpful hints to protect you from scams on our website at www.lottery.ok.gov and click on the Security Issues link.

A variety of Scratcher tickets with varied price points are available throughout the state at any given time. Scratcher games are very easy to play, which is a key reason they are one of America's favorite lottery games.

How do I play Scratchers?
After purchasing the desired game(s) and carefully reading the play instructions on the front of the ticket, players remove a protective coating from the ticket facing using the edge of a coin. The protective coating conceals the winning and non-winning numbers and/or symbols that tell players whether they have won a prize.  Winning a prize is based on the play instructions. The primary reason players enjoy the games is that they know “instantly” (immediately) whether they have won a prize.  They do not have to wait for a drawing.

Scratcher game tickets have varied purchase prices, as well as various game names and themes (e.g., state-specific, holiday, seasonal, money, cards, whimsical).  They also offer several prizes; some large, some small, some in between from one game to the next.  In other words, there is something for everyone.

If you would like more information on how to play Scratchers, all specifications can be found on our website at http://www.lottery.ok.gov/scratchers.asp, you can also find all prizes remaining under each individual Scratcher on the same link.

What if I damage my winning Scratcher ticket?
You can complete a claim form and mail your winning ticket and completed claim form to the Oklahoma Lottery Headquarters, 3817 N. Santa Fe, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.

Can I scratch too much on a Scratcher ticket & void the ticket?
No. You can never scratch too much on an instant ticket to make it void.

How can I find out about the remaining prizes for Scratcher games?
You can see which games have prizes remaining by accessing our website at http://www.lottery.ok.gov/remaining_prizes.asp just click on the individual Scratcher and scroll down, all prizes remaining are updated weekly.

This was the Oklahoma Lottery's first game where players have the opportunity to select their numbers. Players choose their Pick 3 number by selecting one number from each of three sets of 10 numbers (zero-nine). There are three ways players can choose their Pick 3 number:  (1) Using a ballpoint pen or pencil, players fill out a “play slip” at the retail location and hand it to the retail clerk, who then inserts the completed play slip into a Lottery computer terminal; (2) verbally give their Pick 3 number to the retail clerk, who then manually keys it into a Lottery computer terminal; or (3) ask the retailer to have the computer terminal choose the numbers. Simply say to the retailer, “Easy Pick, please!” and the Lottery computer automatically picks a 3-digit number for you!  In all three ways, the Lottery terminal will print out a ticket receipt showing the number chosen. The ticket receipt is then given to the player who waits for the drawing to check his/her number(s).

Pick 3 drawings are conducted and televised daily (seven days a week) at 9:58 pm Central Standard Time on KOKH-FOX Oklahoma City and KOCB-CW Oklahoma City.  All Lottery drawings are performed by a Lottery official, supervised by Lottery security and audited by a third-party independent accounting firm. 

Powerball is a combined large jackpot game and a cash game. To play, players must choose five white numbered balls out of a drum of 55 balls (from 1 to 55) and one red numbered ball out of a drum with 42 red balls (from 1 to 42).

There are 9 possible ways to win in Powerball, which includes the jackpot. Matching all 5 white balls, plus the one red Powerball, wins the jackpot. Jackpots begin at $15 million and continue to build (or rollover) until a player(s) matches all 6 numbers (5 white balls, 1 red ball). All Powerball drawings are televised, supervised and audited. Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 9:59 p.m. Central standard Time on KOKH-FOX Oklahoma City, KOCB-CW Oklahoma City and Cox 3 in Tulsa and Surrounding Areas.

For an extra dollar per play, players can choose the Powerplay option for a chance to multiply their Powerball winning prizes by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times the original amount. The Powerplay multiplier does not apply to the jackpot amount.

Even though 29 states, District of Columbia & Virgin Islands participate in Powerball, the amount contributed to Oklahoma Education will be the same as it is for all other Oklahoma Lottery games, 30% of sales! Oklahoma has had a large number of high tier Powerball winners, including two jackpot winners: a $101 million dollar winner on June 17, 2006; and a $105 million dollar winner on June 27, 2007.

What is Powerplay?
Powerplay is a special feature offered while playing Powerball that allows a winner to multiply the original prize by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times. The Powerplay is not applied when a player has won the jackpot. A player must choose the Powerplay option when they purchase their ticket.  The cost of Powerplay is an additional $1 per play. The multiplier is randomly selected during each drawing.

If I should win a large top prize, do I have the option of remaining anonymous as far as the public and media are concerned?
In accordance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act and the Oklahoma Education Lottery Act, the name of any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, limited liability company, or other legal entity, and their city of residence will be made public. It is important for the public to know the lottery is run honestly. This way the public can be reassured that the prize was won by a real person.

Why is the cash value of a jackpot only about half of what is advertised? Where does the rest of the money go?
The lump-sum payment works out to be a little less than half of the advertised jackpot amount. The Lottery will be giving you the money that would have been invested over 29 years (30 payments) for a Powerball jackpot. The advertised amount represents an estimate of the total payments you would receive over 29 years if the cash amount is invested in an annuity for you.

At what prize point does annuity become a choice? 
Annuity is only an option for jackpot winners.

Can Powerball players redeem their winnings in any Powerball member state? 
No. Powerball players must redeem their prizes in the same state they bought their tickets. Because 29 states and the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands participate in Powerball, all tickets and playslips must be identified by the state that sold the ticket so the prize can be claimed and paid properly.

What lotteries participate in Powerball?
Powerball is played in Washington, DC, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the following 29 states:  Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

If I buy an Easy Pick ticket, can anyone else buy those numbers using Easy Pick?
Yes. Easy Pick tickets are generated randomly by the terminal at the retailer, and there is no central computer that is controlling ticket generation. The chances of buying a Powerball ticket with the same numbers as someone else are the same as the chances of winning the jackpot - about 1 in 120 million.

When do the Online Games shut down for the drawings?
Tickets cannot be purchased during draw breaks. Draw breaks are as follows:
    Pick 3 - 8:59 pm until 9:10 pm (nightly)
    Cash 5 - 8:59 pm until 9:10 pm (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday)
    Powerball - 8:59 pm until 10:05 pm (Wednesday & Saturday)
    Hot Lotto - 8:59 pm until 9:10 pm (Wednesday & Saturday)

Can I select Powerball, Pick 3, Hot Lotto or Cash 5 numbers for more than 1 drawing?
Yes, you can get up to seven draw dates for Pick 3, ten draw dates on Powerball, Hot Lotto and Oklahoma Cash 5. When you purchase multiple draw dates your numbers will remain the same for every draw date purchased.

What is Oklahoma Cash 5?
It is a statewide, Oklahoma Lottery only game, where 5 numbers between 1 and 36 are selected out of one drum. These 5 numbers selected do not have to be in any specific order.

If a player has selected all 5 numbers that are drawn for that draw, that player will win a taxes paid amount of $25,000 ($35,211 before taxes). Prize payouts for Oklahoma Cash 5: match 5 balls - $25,000, 4 matched balls - $500, 3 matched balls - $10, 2 matched balls – Free Cash 5 Easy Pick Ticket.

The ticket price for Oklahoma Cash 5 is $1 per play. Drawings will be held at 9:58 pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday immediately following the Pick 3 drawing televised live on KOKH-FOX Oklahoma City and KOCB-WB Oklahoma City.

How can I protect my Lottery purchase?
Here are some tips:

• When you purchase a Scratcher, make sure all the playable game numbers are covered.

• Always have retail clerk run your Scratcher, Powerball, Pick 3, Hot Lotto or Oklahoma Cash 5 tickets through the Extrema terminal to determine the value of  your winning prize. Have the clerk show you the instant cash receipt that will have the prize you have won stated on it. The retailer is required to keep the winning ticket and instant cash receipt.

• ALWAYS sign the back of your Scratcher before you present it for payment.

• NEVER leave a winning ticket with a clerk for later payment, if a winning ticket can not be cashed when you try to redeem your prize, take the winning ticket with you to redeem later.

• If you don’t understand the rules of a particular game, there are several ways to learn - ask the sales clerk for a How to Play brochure, read the back of the individual Scratcher or visit our website www.lottery.ok.gov and just click on the game you are playing.