After error, Hoosier Lottery to pay out $5K to over 600 $20 Golden Jackpot ticketholders
Who's a winner in the newest Hoosier Lottery fast play game?
Everyone.
Well, everyone who bought a $20 Golden Jackpot ticket, that is.
According to the lottery's website, all 632 tickets that were sold following the game's launch March 20 showed the ticket to be a $5,000 winner, despite the fact that the ticket would say "Not a Winner" when scanned through the system. This occurred because an validation error from the lottery's vendor.
An incorrect operations procedure was carried out while installing the game on March 19, causing the issue, Carrie Stroud, spokesperson for Hoosier Lottery, said in an email.
Hoosier Lottery discovered the issue when winners started to contact the player hotline on the morning of the launch, saying that their tickets appeared to be winners but would not scan as such.
After pausing sales on March 20, the Lottery announced Monday that the winners would be able to claim $5,000 prizes by mail or in person.
The Lottery will pay out $3.16 million in total to all the Golden Jackpot winners, though that accounts for 0.2% of the organization's total revenues, Stroud said.
"The Hoosier Lottery strives to provide fun and entertaining experiences for our players," the lottery said in a news release. "We have been committed to provide a process for players who were impacted by the issue."
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Lucky winners must submit their prize money claims by Sept. 16, 180 days after the original tickets were issued.
Sarah M. Taylor, executive director of Hoosier Lottery, said that the $20 Golden Jackpot did not live up to the "high expectations" the lottery sets for its games.
"Throughout this investigation, it has been our main goal to identify the specific issue and provide a reasonable remedy for our loyal players," Taylor said in a press release. "We believe strongly in providing fun and entertaining games for our players."
Hoosier Lottery is reviewing processes and procedures, as well as developing "additional safeguards" with their vendor, Stroud said. They are planning to relaunch the $20 Golden Jackpot game "when appropriate."
To submit a claim via mail, sign and complete the winner claim form, which can be found here: https://bit.ly/3K2fmPa.
It is important to make sure to leave lines 1-6 blank (including the ticket number and validation information) and complete lines 7-19. Attach a copy of your government state-issued ID and the original Golden Jackpot ticket.
All claims sent by mail should be addressed to the Hoosier Lottery Headquarters Prize Payment Center, located at 1302 N. Meridian St, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
If more than one person is claiming the prize, you must also fill out IRS form 5454,which can be found here: https://bit.ly/3iMXdJg.
To submit a claim for the prize money in person, you must have the "winning" Fast Play ticket with you.
You can submit your claim in person at the Hoosier Lottery Headquarters Prize Payment Center, on Meridian Street. Additional prize payment center locations for North and South region winners are located in Mishawaka and Evansville.
More information on hours and contact information for these locations can be found here: hoosierlottery.com/contact-us/.
If you lost your ticket or bought a ticket and threw it away, you must fill out the Lost Ticket Affidavit for the $20 Golden Jackpot Fast Play. The affidavit form can be found here: bit.ly/3iLMWNv
For more information or assistance, call the Hoosier Lottery Customer Service line at 1-800-955-6886.
Contact IndyStar trending reporter Claire Rafford at crafford@gannett.com or on Twitter @clairerafford.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hoosier Lottery: $20 Golden Jackpot ticket winners to receive payout
