Responsible Gaming > Responsible Gaming

Responsible Gaming

HOW TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY

Think of the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment and not as an investment.

Set a dollar and time limit and stick to it.

Understand that you’ll likely not win, and accept the loss as part of the game.

Don't let gambling of any type interfere with or become a substitute for family, friends, or work.

Don't use playing the lottery as a way to cope with emotional or physical pain.

Consider any money you win a bonus.

Leave when you reach your limit, whether you’re winning or not.

Don’t borrow money to play the lottery.

Don't chase losses - chances are you'll lose even more trying to recoup your losses.

Know the warning signs of problem gambling.

TIPS TO KEEP LOTTERY PLAY SAFE AND SECURE

Purchase Lottery tickets from a licensed Lottery retailer. If someone offers you a "winning ticket" for cash, don't do it! Contact the Wisconsin Lottery immediately, as it's more than likely a scam.

Sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase. This is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself from theft and to prove you own the ticket. Whoever signs the back of the ticket is considered the rightful owner. Until you sign your ticket, anyone can claim the prize.

Review the prize payout transaction details. All Wisconsin Lottery retailers have video screens that face players and show transaction results. A player can ask a retailer to show them the cash authorization slip as proof of the prize amount.

Note: Retailers will keep redeemed winning tickets and cash authorization slips for their records.

Double check - if you think you have a winner and are told your ticket did not win, ask for the ticket(s) back along with the cash authorization slip(s), and then contact the Wisconsin Lottery.

Know the game rules which can be found at wilottery.com. The rules are called "Features and Procedures" on the Lottery website.

Check your tickets. Make sure you received the ticket(s) you intended to purchase. Players are responsible for checking the accuracy of tickets before leaving the store. Know the game being played. Game brochures are available at Lottery retailers and on wilottery.com.

Check your tickets on the Wisconsin Lottery mobile app to see if you have won. The mobile app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Keep your Lottery tickets in a safe place. The Lottery is not liable for damaged, lost, or stolen tickets. By law, only the original ticket is valid to claim a prize.

Check your ticket before handing it to a retailer for payment. Players can use the Wisconsin Lottery mobile app, in-store ticket checkers, or Wisconsin Lottery vending machines to check tickets prior to taking them to the register for payment. The in-store ticket checker and the Wisconsin Lottery's mobile app only check prize amounts; they do not redeem tickets. Wisconsin Lottery vending machines can check prize amounts and allow you to reinvest your winnings in that same machine, but they cannot give back cash or make change.

If you think the prize is valued at $600 or more, make a copy of the front and back of the ticket before redeeming it, and sign the ticket back. Visit wilottery.com or the Wisconsin Lottery mobile app for "How to Claim" prizes of $600 or more.

If you still have questions regarding your ticket, you can call us at 608-266-7777. If you would rather contact us a different way, visit wilottery.com or use the Wisconsin Lottery mobile app's "Contact Us" page for additional options.

TIPS TO AVOID A SCAM

Do not accept phone, text, mail, or internet offers to buy a ticket for a chance into another state or country's lottery. It is against the law to purchase foreign lottery tickets or lottery tickets sold outside of the state. Scam artists use the names of both legitimate and fraudulent lotteries to steal from unsuspecting individuals.

Beware of a prize notice for a contest or promotion you never entered.

Beware of "urgent" solicitations that require an immediate response. It's a common tactic used in scams that gives you little time to check out the offer.

Know how much the ticket is worth before cashing. Some retailers have cashing policies, so be familiar with those prior to cashing tickets.

Legal lotteries don't require payment of fees or surcharges to collect a prize. The Lottery does not know who winners are until they claim their prize, so it's not possible for the Lottery to make first contact with winners by phone, email, mail, or any other way.

Never provide sensitive personal information over the phone or in emails. Protect your bank account numbers, credit card numbers, Social Security number, and individual tax identification number (ITIN).

Legitimate lotteries do not guarantee that you will win a prize and do not require people to join prize pools to play.

To report a potential scam, contact the Wisconsin Consumer Protection line:
Phone: 800-422-7128
Email: DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov

If playing isn’t fun anymore, contact for help
Problem Gambling Helpline:
1-800-GAMBLE-5 (1-800-426-2535)
Text 1-850-888-HOPE (4673)
www.wi-problemgamblers.org
Free. Confidential. Always there.