FAQ

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Currently, the Nashville Headquarters claim center and the claim centers at the district offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Memphis will be open for walk-in claims, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Claims by appointment are discontinued.

  • Do not enter a claim center if you are feeling sick or if you have been exposed to a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
  • Please practice social distancing while waiting to claim.​​​​​​​

Players who win prizes of $200,000 or more must claim their prize at the Nashville Headquarters.

Players can claim prizes less than $600 at any of our retailer locations.

Prizes of $600 or more can be claimed by mailing in the actual signed winning ticket (no copies accepted) with appropriate documentation and a completed claim form to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229-0636.

Reminder: All claims for drawing-style tickets must be made or postmarked (if mailed) within 180 days after the official winning draw date for that ticket and 90 days after the announced game end date for instant tickets.

Click here for the updated How to Claim information.

To contact us with all other questions, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I claim a prize?

    Congratulations! Please Click Here for this information.

  • How long do I have to collect a prize?

    For instant games, the winner has 90 days from the announced end of game. For drawing-style games, players have 180 days after the date of the drawing to claim their prize for a winning ticket.

  • Can a group of people share a prize?

    Yes, Lottery prizes can be shared. Winners can decide how to share the prize before they claim it. However, the Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) will only issue one check for any prize won. The check can be issued to an individual, corporation, organization, partnership, trust, or estate. Any non-individual claim must provide documentation of authority to the TEL before the prize is paid. The TEL will accept Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 5754 if a group of individuals is claiming a prize. The form must be provided at the time the prize is claimed, and each of the group members will be subject to all applicable federal, state, and debt setoff withholdings and identification requirements. Please go to www.irs.gov to obtain instructions and Form 5754 prior to arriving at TEL.

  • Are prizes taxable?

    Yes. The State of Tennessee does not tax lottery winnings, but prizes are subject to federal income taxes. For more information, please contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov

  • Can the winner of a large Lottery prize remain anonymous?

    In accordance with the Tennessee Education Lottery Implementation Law, the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation releases the name, home state, and hometown of winners if an eligible request is received for such information.

  • How long do I have to choose between taking the annuity or the lump sum for the Powerball and/or Mega Millions and/or Lotto America jackpots?

    A person who wins a Powerball, Mega Millions, or Lotto America jackpot has 60 days from the date the player becomes entitled to the prize to choose either the lump sum or annuity payment. Annuity payments for the Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto America jackpots will be paid in 30 graduated annual payments.

  • What happens to my annuity if I die?

    A Lottery prize is just like any other asset. You can pass any remaining annuity payments on to your heirs or to anyone else.

  • What happens if I lose a winning ticket?

    Lottery tickets are bearer instruments, just like cash. If you lose your ticket, anyone can claim it. It is always wise to sign your ticket immediately after purchase to identify it as yours and to help prevent someone else from cashing it, in the event that it is lost or stolen.