What Time Do They Start & Stop Cashing Scratch Off Lottery Tickets?

Part of the appeal of popular scratch off lottery tickets is that a player instantly knows whether they’ve won or not. There’s no need to wait for national draws, pick numbers, or even stand in long lines to get a regular lottery ticket. However, does this mean you can buy a ticket or claim your prize money at any time? Do scratch off tickets expire? Let’s find out.

Know Your State’s Cashing Times

The scratch off cashing in time varies between states. In some instances, times may differ between specific vendors, so it’s essential to check with your local retail outlet for their cut-off times. Here’s a breakdown of the general cut-off times for each state.

Other Countries’ Cashing Times

Scratch off cards, like national lotteries, vary between countries. Not only do the games differ, but claims procedures and of course the cashing out times may also vary. South Africa for instance doesn’t have specific times for paying out prize money.

The only criterion is that you claim the threshold amount allocated to retailer payouts. If you buy UK Lottery scratch offs, winners need to claim from the retailer where they bought the ticket, provided it’s under £500. There’s also no specific cut-off time.

Source: theLotter

How Long Can You Wait Before Cashing in a Scratch Off Lottery Ticket?

While scratch cards don’t always indicate an expiry date on the back of the card, it’s important to know that cards and winnings have a scratch off ticket expiry date. Scratch cards typically expire after ticket sales close.

That means any tickets that have already been bought and scratched should be claimed within 180 days from the closure date. However, some states have cut-offs of 60 days while others after 90 days. Check your local regulations to be sure.

Why Do Vendors Stop Cashing in Tickets at a Certain Time?

Generally, vendors choose to establish a cut-off time as keeping large amounts of cash on the premises can be a safety risk. Many outlets are also paying out national lottery winnings, so to reduce the security risk to the business and customers inside the shop, they may have specified hours for lottery winnings and other times for scratch off prizes.

Final Thoughts

If you’re not going to claim your scratch off prize money on the day that you win, it’s important to know the cashing-in times. Since this may vary between retailers, states and countries, we recommend you check with the agent you bought the ticket from.

Keep in mind that many outlets have a cut-off amount as well, which may require you to fill in claim forms. That said, don’t wait for the last day to claim your prize money and be sure to keep your own safety in mind when you’re collecting money!

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