Why You Can Trust New York Lottery
The New York Lottery’s mission is to raise revenue by administering lottery games to help support the funding of education in New York State. The Lottery holds itself to the highest standards of integrity, credibility, and quality so that players can have absolute confidence in its games.
About
How to Tell if Your Ticket is a Winner
Cashing a Winning Ticket
Buying a Ticket
Scams
Protect Yourself From Lottery Fraud
Beware of lottery scams: real lotteries don't reach out to winners. Never disclose personal or financial details to anyone claiming you've won.
There are no "processing fees"
If you’re asked to pay a fee to process your prize, this ask is a scam. "Processing fees" to collect a lottery prize are a myth. Do not send anyone this money.
We won't ask for "claiming fees"
If you receive a check accompanied by a request for processing or claiming fees related to a lottery prize, this process is a scam. Never deposit the check. This check is fraudulent and will bounce, and may have a negative impact on your bank account.
Don't send Green Dot money cards
If you are asked to pay taxes on your prize by sending a Green Dot money card or a gift card, this request is part of a scam. Governments do not collect taxes that way.
If you are notified that you’ve won a prize…
If you are notified about a winning ticket or a big lottery prize out of the blue, this notification is probably a scam. You cannot win a lottery prize if you did not purchase a lottery ticket. The New York Lottery does not know who has won a prize from a ticket purchased at retail until the winning ticket is presented to the Lottery for payment. You can only win a lottery prize by purchasing a ticket from a licensed lottery sales agent, ordering a ticket through a licensed lottery courier service, or purchasing a New York Lottery Subscription*.
Don't provide personal information
If you’re asked for personal or financial information, especially Social Security numbers, dates of birth, a maiden name, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers purportedly related to a lottery prize, this reach-out is a scam. Although you may need to provide some of this information to claim a prize when you present a winning lottery ticket to the New York Lottery for payment, this information is not relevant until you make a claim.
*If you are notified of a Lottery subscription prize pursuant to the terms of the New York Lottery Subscription program, contact the Lottery’s Subscription Center at 518-388-3370 or gaming.sm.subscriptions@gaming.ny.gov.
If you have questions about a lottery transaction, game, a prize payout, or other concern, contact the Lottery Integrity & Investigations Unit or call 518-388-3416.
How We Keep Lottery Drawings Secure
New York Lottery draws are conducted with the highest integrity, adhering to strict policies and procedures that are regularly reviewed by the Gaming Commission’s staff, internal auditors and independent auditors. Although lottery draws themselves take just seconds, preparation for each draw starts several hours in advance.
