Retail Winners
1. So you won, and now you want to get paid. Well, youâre in luck, because there are a variety of places to claim your prize based on how much youâve won.
| Retailers | Regional Claims Centers | NC Lottery Headquarters | By Mail* |
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| Under $600 | | | | |
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| $600 to $99,999 | | | | |
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| $100K plus | | | | |
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2. Before you run down to the claim center to claim your prize, you need to sign the back of your original ticket. A lottery ticket is a bearer instrument until signed. The ticket, not the play slip, is required for all claims, so donât forget it. Also, for prizes of $600 or more, you will need:
3. Donât wait. Get paid. Scratch-off game prizes must be claimed within 90 calendar days from the gameâs announced end date, and draw games must be claimed within 180 calendar days of the drawing.
Mailed tickets must be received at the NC Lottery headquarters or regional office within 180 calendar days of the drawing for draw games and within 90 days from the gamesâ announced end date for scratch-off games. Postmarks shall not constitute satisfaction of date requirement.
Still have questions? Call Customer Service at 877-962-7529.
Online Play Winners
So you won with Online Play, and now you want to get paid. Well, youâre in luck, because it has never been easier to claim your Online Play win.
Your claim options will vary based on the size of your prize.
- Prizes of less than $600 are automatically deposited into your NC Lottery account.
- Prizes of $600 up to and including $99,999 must be claimed online.
- Prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed in person at NC Lottery Headquarters in Raleigh. You will be directed to start your claim online and must waitto receive a follow-up notification with instructions. You will not be able to claim your prize until notification is received, normally within 2-5 business days.
For more information about claiming an Online Play prize, view our Terms of Service
As part of the claim process, we may require you to provide additional information, provide copies of documents, or appear in person at a designated claim center.
Donât wait to start your claim... Draw games must be claimed within 180 calendar days of the drawing.
Still have questions? Call our Player Support Center at 866-934-0289.
Claim Forms
NC Lottery claim forms available below or at any regional office.
*Claim By Mail
If claiming by mail, send required documentation to:
NC Lottery
PO Box 41606
Raleigh, NC 27629-1606
The NC Lottery is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail. The risk of mailing tickets remains with the player.
2024 Holiday Schedule
New Yearâs Day: Monday, January 1st
Martin Luther King Jr.âs Birthday: Monday, January 15th
Good Friday: Friday, March 29th
Memorial Day: Monday, May 27th
Independence Day: Thursday, July 4th
Labor Day: Monday, September 2nd
Veteranâs Day: Monday, November 11th
Thanksgiving: Thursday-Friday, November 28th & 29th
Christmas: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday December 24th, 25th, & 26th
FAQs
Prizes of $600 up to and including $99,999 must be claimed online. Prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed in person at NC Lottery Headquarters in Raleigh. You will be directed to start your claim online and must wait to receive a follow-up notification with instructions.
How do you claim lottery winnings in NC? ›
Prizes of less than $600, including free tickets, can be collected at any NCEL retailer or Regional Office, or by mail using a NCEL prize claim form. Prizes with a value between $600 and $99,999.99 must be claimed at NCEL headquarters, any NCEL Regional Office, or by mail using a NCEL prize claim form.
What does the NC education lottery pay for? ›
fifty one percent is paid as winnings to players. four percent is cost-of-sales. The remaining 38% goes to education proceeds, broken down as follows: Before any proceeds are paid, 5% of the proceeds goes to the Education Lottery Reserve Fund to be used when lottery proceeds fall short.
How long does it take for an NC lottery to pay out? ›
How long will it take me to receive funds after I request a withdrawal from my winnings account? The first time you make a withdrawal request or the first withdrawal request to a specific payment method, it will take up to 2 business days once all requested documents are received.
How to claim Mega Millions small prize? ›
The current processing time for error-free claims is 5 to 7 weeks. There are three ways to claim prizes $599 and under: visit a Lottery retailer, claim at a Lottery District Office or claim by mail. Option 1: Visit a Lottery Retailer Best Option!
Do you pay taxes on $1000 lottery winnings in NC? ›
Yes. Gambling winnings in North Carolina are taxable income like any other.
Can lottery winnings be garnished in NC? ›
Lottery Laws
Additionally, lottery winnings in North Carolina are subject to garnishment for payment of past due child support.
What are the odds of winning the NC Education Lottery? ›
All odds are approximate. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 10.5. The jackpot is an estimate and is paid in accordance with NCEL game rules.
What percentage of lottery money goes to education? ›
Did you know 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery games goes back to the community through contributions to public schools and colleges, prizes, and retail compensation? Thank you to our players and our retail partners for making it all possible!
Who runs the NC education lottery? ›
Mark Michalko, a gaming industry veteran who brings more than four decades of experience in both US lottery and international gaming, serves as the Executive Director of the NC Lottery.
The lottery provides winners with the option to receive their winnings either as a single lump sum or through an annuity, which disburses payments over a specified period. Opting for the lump sum entails immediate access to a discounted amount of the total prize after taxes.
How much does NC take out for lottery winnings? ›
North Carolina will tax your lottery winnings just like all other income at a rate of 4.75%. The federal government will also tax your lottery winnings as income, but the percentage depends on your income bracket.
Has anyone ever won both Mega Millions and Powerball? ›
Apart from Jackpots, there are other small prizes in each of these games. there are some serious lottery players who won smaller prizes in both Powerball and Jackpot. But as per the official records, there is no single person who won both Mega Million and Powerball.
Can you split lottery winnings? ›
Group winners of prizes under $1 million do not qualify for individual payments from the Lottery. Those winners must select a group representative to file a Lottery Claim Form and receive and distribute the prize to the other group members.
How do you get paid if you win Mega Millions? ›
If you win a Mega Millions® jackpot, you will choose how to be paid: Cash Option or Annual Payout. Prize claim parameters vary from state to state. Contact your Mega Millions lottery for detailed information. Annuity option: The Mega Millions annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments.
How does the lottery work in North Carolina? ›
At present, the NC Lottery offers scratch-off games that cost $1, $2, $3, $5, $10, $20 or $30 to play. Some games feature top prizes of up to $200,000, $1 million or $2 million, and there have even been scratch-offs with prizes of $10 million.
How should you take lottery winnings? ›
A lump sum is good for funding long-term investments, while an annuity guarantees larger total payouts. Choose based on your financial goals and applicable rules surrounding the specific lottery. An annuity ensures a larger total payout over years.
How to collect Mega Millions jackpot? ›
If you win a Mega Millions® jackpot, you will choose how to be paid: Cash Option or Annual Payout. Prize claim parameters vary from state to state. Contact your Mega Millions lottery for detailed information. Annuity option: The Mega Millions annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments.
