Got lottery tickets as a gift? Here’s how long you have to claim a prize in Ontario

Lottery tickets are a common and easy gift for Christmas, whether it’s scratch cards or regular draw tickets.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) even sells gift packs of scratch tickets around the holidays.

If you got one or more tickets and are lucky enough to win, here is some important information to know about claiming a prize:

First of all, depending on how much you win, there are different ways to claim.

Prizes less than $1,000 can be claimed at an OLG retailer.

They can be paid by cash or to a debit or credit card in-store, depending on the business’ ability to pay, the OLG says.

A store must pay up to $50.

“If the retailer cannot cash your prize, please find another retailer near you,” the OLG says.

If you won more than $1,000, you need to submit a prize claim.

That can be done online and is typically processed within five business days following a complete submission, the OLG says.

You can also submit a claim by mail, but that option takes much longer.

A winner can also call the OLG to book an appointment at the prize centre.

How long you have to claim a prize

For draw tickets printed from the lottery terminal, customers have exactly one year from the draw date to claim their prize.

Scratch tickets are different.

The OLG says that prizes won on instant games can only be claimed until the expiry date, which is printed on the back of the ticket.

An example of an expiry date on the back of a scratch ticket.

If you do happen to win $1,000 or more, the OLG will publish your name on its website for 30 days.

Major prizes require a photo of the winner, and a news release is often sent out to media.

“The photos and disclosures are part of OLG’s publicity requirements and demonstrate to all Ontarians that lottery prizes are won across the province every day,” the OLG says.

The OLG notes that any prize claims must be submitted by the rightful owner of the ticket.

“If we cannot establish ownership of a ticket and/or the claimant’s participation was in contravention of the OLG Rules Respecting Lottery Games or OLG Rules Respecting iLottery Games, the prize may not be paid,” the OLG says.

If you lost a ticket but know or think you won, you still could possibly get your prize. But you’d need to contact the OLG.

For more information on claims, visit the OLG website.