What you should know about playing the Hoosier Lottery
Whether wishing for a few extra bucks or a reason to quit your job, Hoosiers can test their luck playing the lottery.
The Hoosier Lottery offers pay-to-play games where players buy tickets for a chance to win large sums of money. People can buy tickets in person at participating retailers. However, winning numbers, current jackpot totals and other information can be checked online.
A portion of Indiana’s lottery funds is funneled back to state beneficiaries, including local police and firefighters’ pensions and the Teachers’ Retirement Fund. People can find out how much money goes to their individual counties online.
What type of lotto games are there?
The Hoosier Lottery has three game options: drawings, scratch-offs and Fast Play.
Lottery drawings are when players buy tickets, and winning numbers are announced afterward on the designated days for specific tickets. Current estimated jackpots can be checked online. National drawings, including the Powerball and Mega Millions, pull winning tickets from players across the nation. Indiana residents can also play state drawings, such as the Hoosier Lotto, Cash5 and Daily 3.
If you dig in your pocket to find a quarter, you likely have a scratch-off ticket, which range from $1 to $50. Some scratch-offs have games and puzzles to solve to determine if that ticket is a winner.
In Fast Play, players can immediately check to see if their ticket is a winner at a lottery terminal at a retailer, Julie Henricks Mahurin, Hoosier Lottery director of public relations, said. Fast Play games can be purchased at some self-service machines using the QR codes on the side of the machine, she said. These tickets range from a price of $1 to $20.
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Hoosier can check which retailers are closest to them online. Typical places to buy include gas stations, grocery stores and liquor stores.
When are lottery drawings?
The Powerball is drawn three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday around 11 p.m. EST.
Mega Millions numbers are drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays around 11 p.m.
Hoosier Lotto +PLUS drawings are on Wednesdays and Saturdays around 11 p.m.
Where can I check my numbers?
Players can check their numbers for multiple games at this link.
To catch the numbers on TV, players can check online for specific channels, games and times. Powerball and Double Play also host live streams for each of its drawings.
What do I do if I’ve won?
If you've won under $600, retailers can redeem tickets up to $25 and select locations can pay up to $599.
Those who won over $600 but under $50,000 can cash in at a Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment Center. Locations are in Indianapolis, Mishawaka and Evansville.
Won $50,000 or more? Call 1-800-955-6886 to schedule an appointment to redeem the prize.
Anyone who won an amount under $50,000 can redeem their prize through the mail.
To do so, fill in the information on the back of the winning ticket and print and complete the winner claim form. Multiple tickets can be claimed with one form. Also, fill out IRS FORM 5754 if more than one person is claiming the prize.
The winning ticket, a copy of a government issued photo ID and the claim form should be stapled together and sent to the Hoosier Lottery Headquarters, located at 302 N. Meridian St. Winners should expect their prize check within about seven to 10 business days.
How long do I have to redeem my prize?
Players have 180 days to claim their prize. The clock starts at a scratch-off's end date, the date of a drawingor Fast Play's purchase date.
What is the Hoosier Lottery app?
The app lets players instantly checktickets, pick your numbers online and receive notifications on winning numbers and jackpots.
Where can I get help for a gambling addiction?
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, the gambling addiction helpline can be called at 1-800-994-8448. People can also text INGAMB to 53342.
The lotto provides a warning signs card and a responsible gaming flyer.
Resources are also available on the Gamblers Anonymous website.
Cate Charron is an intern at the IndyStar. You can contact her on Twitter at @CateCharron or email at CCharron@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hoosier Lottery: How to play, where to find winning numbers and more
