Editor’s note: While the New York Lottery’s Customer Service Centers still require an appointment, ticketholders can also redeem their winnings at a local Prize Claim Center. No appointment is necessary.
Any prize up to $600 can be claimed at a licensed New York Lottery retail location, individuals can schedule an appointment at a Customer Service Center, or they can mail the winning ticket to the lottery for redemption. For prizes exceeding $600, ticketholders can schedule an appointment at a Customer Service Center, they can redeem the ticket at a Prize Claim Center, or they, too, can mail tickets into the Lottery.
To redeem your prize, you must provide the winning ticket, a filled-out claim form, a valid government-issued ID and a valid Social Security number or Federal Employment Identification Number. Note that most claims will be processed on-site. However, jackpot wins, Mega Millions prizes over $500,000, and Powerball winnings exceeding $50,000 will be processed at the New York Lottery’s Schenectady office.
Draw-game players must claim their winnings within a year of the draw date, while scratch-off players have one year from the announced end of the game to redeem their prizes.
The resumption of gambling operations in New York has been widely regarded as one of the slowest among all states during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is evident in the continuing restrictions imposed on New York Lottery claim centers.
The centers continue to operate by appointment only, but the scarcity of appointments has led to a backlog, leaving some winners uncertain about when the lottery will finally distribute the prizes.
The details on restrictions at New York Lottery claim centers
Several lottery winners in New York have reported a lengthy delay in claiming their prizes, as they have been waiting for months. It is important to note that lottery claim centers in the state will not be accessible for walk-in visitors in the foreseeable future.
If your prize is $600 or less, you can claim it at any lottery retailer. However, if your ticket is valued at $601 or more, you currently have two choices.
You have the choice to send a claim form by mail, along with your original ticket that is signed.
To ensure the safety of your ticket, the lottery advises utilizing registered mail. However, if you wish to personally collect your prize, you can schedule an appointment at the nearest claim center.
However, the second option’s popularity is causing a problem as some claim centers have no available appointments until late November.
Currently, in New York City, there are no open lottery claim centers, resulting in numerous winners having to personally travel in order to receive their winnings.
After winning $900, Pat Ferraro drove all the way from Brooklyn to Plainview to collect his prize. He expressed his belief, stating, “It seems like their intention is to simply delay the release of your funds. That’s the impression I get.”
A significant number of the prize winners express a lack of trust in the postal system when it comes to receiving their New York Lottery winnings.
New York an outlier with its current policies
Regarding the situation and the complaints, the New York State Gaming Commission has issued the following statement to CBS2.
The Commission is currently reviewing ways to resume gaming services in facilities while prioritizing the safety of Lottery patrons and facility employees in light of the novel coronavirus. We will establish a process as soon as possible. In the meantime, our Lottery Customer Service Centers are open throughout the State, but with strict protocols in place. Guests can visit by appointment only and both patrons and Lottery personnel must follow guidelines for personal protective equipment and sanitization. Additionally, there are alternative options for redeeming prizes at Customer Service Centers. Prizes of $600 or less can be redeemed at any licensed Lottery sales agent. We also have a Prize Payments Unit at our Schenectady office that processes lottery ticket claims.
Although state lotteries typically do not impose such strict restrictions on walk-in traffic, these measures are currently necessary to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
The Tennessee Lottery’s claim centers have resumed accepting walk-ins, but they are currently limited to serving one winner at a time.
As per a lottery representative, diligent efforts are being made to promptly establish casino service centers in New York. It is important to note that these centers will operate on an appointment-only basis.
The timeline for when claim centers will resume accepting walk-in traffic remains uncertain. In the meantime, lottery winners in New York must either utilize mail services or exercise patience.
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