Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Where does the money generated by the Vermont Lottery go?
A: Breakdown of where the money goes for fiscal year 2007:
- 63.3% = Prizes to players ($66.2 million)
- 2.4%= Tri-State expenses ($2.5 million)
- 5.8%= Agent commissions/bonuses ($6.1 million)
- 22.4%= Profit to Vermont Education Fund ($23.4 million)
- 6.1%= Operating/Administrative Expenses ($6.5 million)
To view graphs since the lottery's inception, click on Revenue, Profits, Prizes, Agent commission or Operating costs.
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Q: Who benefits from the Lottery's proceeds? Is the money earmarked for specific projects?
A: All Lottery profit is transferred to the state's Education Fund. In July 1998, the Vermont legislature mandated that all profits from the Lottery go to the state's Education Fund. Prior to that, all profits went to the state's General Fund.
For more information about how the Education Fund money is appropriated, contact the Vermont Department of Finance and Management at 802-828-2376. You can view the State's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) by going to http://finance.state.vt.us.
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Q: The Vermont Lottery is part of the Tri-State Lottery and Powerball. How are profits from these multi-state games distributed?
A: All proceeds from Tri-State games and Powerball that are generated in Vermont stay in Vermont, where they go to support the state's Education Fund.
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Q: What states participate in Powerball?
A: Powerball is offered by 31 member lotteries. Click here to view a map of Powerball participants.
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Q: What states make up the Tri-State Lottery?
A: The states included in the Tri-State Lottery are Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
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Q: A Megabucks or Powerball jackpot winner may select an ANNUITY or a CASH payment option. What's the difference?
A: The estimated, annuitized value of a Megabucks or Powerball jackpot is the amount that the jackpot is worth when paid to a winner in annual installments. The ANNUITY payment option pays the jackpot prize in annual installments. If the ANNUITY payment option is selected, the Megabucks jackpot winner is paid in 25 annual installments and the Powerball winner is paid in 30 annual installments.
The CASH payment option pays the jackpot prize in a one-time-only cash payment. The CASH payment option is generally 40-50% less than the estimated, annuitized jackpot amount. If the CASH payment option is selected, the jackpot winner receives the jackpot prize money that would have been invested in order to fund the estimated, annuitized jackpot.
*If there are multiple winners of a jackpot on any given drawing, the jackpot prize money will be divided equally among all the jackpot winners for that drawing. Each winning jackpot ticket holder may select the ANNUITY or CASH payment option for his/her portion of the jackpot prize.
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Q: Why does a Megabucks or Powerball jackpot winner only get approximately half of the jackpot when he or she chooses the CASH payment option?
A: The CASH payment option is a one-time-only cash payment of the available jackpot prize money. The CASH option represents the amount of money in the jackpot prize pool at the time of winning, and is generally 40-50% less than the estimated annuitized amount because it does not contain the interest that would have accumulated over the years of incremental prize payments.
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Q: How long does a Megabucks or Powerball jackpot winner have to decide on a payout option?
A: A Vermont jackpot winner has 60 calendar days from ticket validation and at Vermont Lottery headquarters for Megabucks and 60 calendar days from the winning jackpot draw date for Powerball to elect a one-time-only cash payment (CASH option) or annual installments (ANNUITY option).
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Q:If a Megabucks or Powerball jackpot winner selects the ANNUITY option, what happens if he or she dies?
A: If a Vermont jackpot winner chooses the annuity option, all remaining annual payments go to the winner's estate in the event of his or her death.
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Q: Is the Megabucks or Powerball jackpot paid as a fixed percentage of the prize pool or is it paid based on what is left after all lower-tier prizes are paid?
A: The Megabucks and Powerball jackpots are both awarded on a pari-mutuel basis, which means that the jackpot is split evenly among all winners. Lower prizes are awarded on a set basis, based on a statistical model of how many people are likely to win each of the lower-level prizes in any given drawing.
When you purchase a Megabucks or Powerball ticket, part of your dollar goes to the jackpot for that game and part of it goes to the lower-tier prize pool (all prize levels below the jackpot) for that game. We keep a cash reserve on hand for those instances when the number of lower-tier prizewinners exceeds statistical probability.
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Q: Where can I buy Vermont Lottery tickets?
A: You can buy Vermont Lottery tickets at any licensed Vermont Lottery agent location. Look for Lottery signs on the building, in the windows or on the door. There are approximately 700 licensed Lottery agents in Vermont. Agents include convenience stores, gas stations, drug stores and grocery stores. Click here to locate a Vermont lottery agent near you.
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Q: Where can I cash my winning Vermont Lottery ticket?
A: All Vermont Lottery agents are required to pay Vermont Lottery Instant "Scratch Off" Ticket prizes of up to $100, but may pay up to $499. Vermont Lottery agents who sell Megabucks, Powerball, Pick 3, Pick 4 and Paycheck are required to pay prizes up to $499 for those games, as long as the ticket was sold by a Vermont Lottery agent.
Vermont Chittenden Banks can pay cash prizes of $200 to $5,000 for all winning Vermont Lottery tickets sold by Vermont Lottery agents. Winning tickets can be paid by Vermont Chittenden Banks until 4:30 PM on weekdays, excluding bank and state holidays.
Vermont Lottery Commission Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont can cash winning Vermont Lottery tickets of any value, either in person or through the mail, provided the ticket was sold by a Vermont Lottery agent.
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Q: I bought my winning Powerball or Tri-State Lottery ticket in another state. May I cash it in Vermont?
A: No. A winning Powerball or Tri-State Megabucks, Paycheck, Pick 3 or Pick 4 ticket must be redeemed in the state of its purchase. The ticket will include the state of purchase in the text on the ticket front and back.
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Q: How much time do I have to cash in my winning Megabucks, Powerball, Pick 3, Pick 4, Paycheck or Triple Play ticket?
A: You have 365 calendar days from the winning draw date to claim your prize.
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Q: How much time do I have to cash in my winning Instant "Scratch Off" Ticket?
A: Each of our Instant games is released on an individual schedule. Most Instant games are available for many months. Once an Instant game is no longer available to players, the game is "closed." All prizes for an Instant game must be claimed within one year after the game is closed. The last day to cash tickets for each game is posted here.
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Q: If I win a cash prize of more than $5,000 do I have to wait before receiving my winnings?
A: Your ticket will be processed by the Vermont Lottery upon receipt (hand delivered or by mail). If you bring your winning ticket to Vermont Lottery Headquarters, a check will be processed that day, unless it's a jackpot* winner. Our office hours are 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays, excluding State holidays. If you mail your ticket to Vermont Lottery Headquarters, please allow time for processing.
*The Megabucks and Powerball jackpot prizes shall be paid at the election of the winner based on Lottery rules & regulations, with either a per winner annuity or cash payment.
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Q: Will taxes be withheld from my winnings?
A: You will receive a W-2G Form (Certain Gambling Winnings) from the Vermont Lottery for any prize valued at $600 or more. The Vermont Lottery withholds Federal and State taxes for any prize valued over $5,000.
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Q: If I win, can I remain anonymous?
A: The name, town and prize amount on your Claim Form is public information. If you put your name on the Claim Form, your name becomes public information. If you claim your prize in a trust, the name of the trust is placed on the Claim Form rather than your name, and the name of the trust is public information.
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Q: Can I play Vermont Lottery games by mail?
A: You may purchase a Megabucks subscription through the mail as long as you have a Vermont mailing address. We currently offer a discount on Megabucks subscriptions - 26 draws for $24, 52 draws for $47, or 104 draws for $94. To receive a subscription form in the mail click here or call the Vermont Lottery at 1-800-322-8800 (in VT) or 802-479-5686.
Powerball subscriptions will be available in the future. Click here to have a subscription form mailed to you when it becomes available.
We do not offer subscriptions for Pick 3, Pick 4 or Paycheck. Vermont Lottery Instant "Scratch Off" Tickets cannot be purchased through the mail.
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Q: I saw Powerball tickets for sale on the Internet. Can I buy Powerball tickets over the Internet or by mail?
A: You may only purchase Powerball tickets at authorized terminals in the jurisdictions where Powerball tickets are sold. Some Lotteries offer Powerball subscriptions to residents in their state.
Powerball tickets cannot be purchased by mail.
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Q: Where and when are drawings held?
A: All Tri-State game draws are held at the New Hampshire Lottery's headquarters in Concord, New Hampshire. Powerball draws are held at ITC Studios in Des Moines, Iowa. Draw times are:
| Megabucks |
Wednesday & Saturday |
7:59 PM |
| Powerball |
Wednesday & Saturday |
10:59 PM |
| Paycheck |
Tuesday & Friday |
6:50 PM |
| Pick 3 & Pick 4 |
Daily |
1:10 PM (Day Draw) |
| Pick 3 & Pick 4 |
Daily |
6:55 PM (Eve Draw) |
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Q: Where can I find the winning numbers?
A: Winning numbers are posted on this Web site no more than 30 minutes after the draw. In addition, they are recorded on the Lottery's hotline 1-800-322-8800 (in VT) or 802-479-5686. You may also find the winning numbers for Megabucks, Paycheck, Pick 3 and Pick 4 on TV crawls. Stations and times for the crawls are:
| WPTZ/WNNE |
Daily Games & Paycheck (Tues & Fri) |
7:20-7:30 PM |
| Megabucks (Wed & Sat) |
8:20-8:30 PM |
| FOX 44 |
Daily Games & Paycheck (Tues & Fri) |
7:28 PM (Sun 7-8 PM) |
| Megabucks (Wed & Sat) |
8:15-8:30 PM |
| WVNY |
Daily Games & Paycheck (Tues & Fri) |
7:15-7:35 PM |
| Megabucks (Wed & Sat) |
8:00-8:45 PM |
Powerball Draws are aired on: |
| WCAX |
Powerball Numbers Drawn (Wed & Sat) |
11:00 PM |
Some local radio stations and area newspapers also pick up the winning numbers from the Associated Press. The Vermont Lottery is not responsible for incorrect numbers posted in area newspapers or announced on local radio stations.
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Q: What was the biggest Megabucks jackpot ever won?
A: The biggest jackpot ever won for Megabucks was $16.4 million on January, 25 1992.
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Q: What was the biggest Powerball jackpot ever won?
A: The biggest jackpot ever won for Powerball was $365 million on February 18, 2006 (Winners: ConAgra Foods Co-workers, Nebraska).
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Q: What are the odds of winning the Megabucks jackpot?
A: The probability of winning the Megabucks jackpot is 1 in 5,245,786. Click here to view Megabucks Probability Calculations.
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Q: What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
A: The probability of winning the Powerball jackpot is 1in 146,107,962. Click here to view Powerball Probability Calculations.
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Q: What are the odds of winning the Tri-State Paycheck top prize?
A: The probability of winning the Paycheck top prize is 1in 575,757.
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Q: What are the odds of winning Pick 3/Pick 4 top prizes?
A: A Pick 3 STRAIGHT match has a probability of 1 in 1,000. A Pick 4 STRAIGHT match has a probability of 1in 10,000. Click here to view Pick 3 Probability Calculations. Click here to view Pick 4 Probability Calculations.
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Q: What are the odds of winning Vermont Lottery Instant Games?
A: The odds of winning are different for every Instant "Scratch Off" game. Each ticket back contains the approximate odds of winning by prize level.
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Q: What happens to unclaimed prize money?
A: Every year, some prizes go unclaimed by winners. The Vermont Lottery conducts second chance contests for Instant "Scratch Off" Tickets to allow players an opportunity to win expired, unclaimed prizes. This helps to reduce litter and gives our players another opportunity to win.
Expired, unclaimed prize money for Tri-State games and Powerball goes back to players in the form of prizes.
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Q: What happens if I lose my winning lottery ticket?
A: The Vermont Lottery is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets and cannot pay a prize without a valid winning ticket.
As a bearer instrument, a lottery ticket claim can be filed by anyone in possession of the ticket. That's why, if you win, it's important to protect yourself by signing your name and filling out all the information on the back of your winning ticket.
If you choose to mail your winning lottery ticket to Vermont Lottery Headquarters for payment, you should consider using a shipping method that tracks the package, especially for prizes of higher value.
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Q: What games offered by the Vermont Lottery are most popular?
A: Instant Games make up the majority of the Vermont Lottery's overall sales.
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Q: I have a specific question about Powerball that isn't addressed here. Where do I go for more information?
A: The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), the group of states and jurisdictions that offer Powerball, has a detailed FAQ on their Web site, at http://www.powerball.com/pb_faq.asp. If you still don't see the answer to your question after visiting the MUSL FAQ, please send it to us via e-mail so that we may answer it for you.
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