What If I Win?

  • General Information On Winning

    Instant scratch tickets must be claimed within one year of the announced game end date. All other game prizes must be claimed within 365 calendar days of the winning drawing date. Any prize not claimed within 365 calendar days shall be forfeited.

    Valid Identification

    If identification is required to claim your prize, you may provide one of the following as a source of valid identification:

    Accepted at People's United Bank:

    • Current State issued Drivers License - Photo or Non-Photo
    • Current State issued Non-Driver Photo I.D.
    • U.S. Armed Service I.D.
    • U.S. Government Agency Photo I.D.
    • Passport
    • Resident Alien Photo I.D.
    • Fire Arms Photo I.D.

    Accepted at Vermont Lottery:

    • All of the above
    • Expired Photo Drivers License
    • Employer issued Photo I.D.

    Download Claim Form

  • Prizes over $5,000

    All Games

    These prizes must be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont.

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification to Vermont Lottery Headquarters. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent.

    Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to Federal Income Tax Withholding of at least 24% and Vermont State Income Tax Withholding of at least 6%. The Lottery is required to withhold Federal Income taxes at the rate of 24% and Vermont State Income taxes of 6% on any winnings of $600 or more where the winner(s) does not furnish a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN).

    Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G's to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

  • Prizes of $500 to $5,000

    Powerball, Mega Millions, Megabucks, Gimme 5, Lucky for Life, Fast Play, Fast Play Pro, Pick 3 and Pick 4 only

    These prizes may be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont or M&T Bank located in Vermont.

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification. The M&T Bank can pay claims during Vermont Lottery Headquarters business hours only which are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters, M&T or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent.

    The Lottery is required to withhold Federal Income taxes at the rate of 28% and Vermont State Income taxes of 6.72% on any winnings of $600 or more where the winner(s) does not furnish a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN).

    Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G's to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

  • Prizes of $499 or less

    Powerball, Mega Millions, Megabucks, Lucky for Life, Gimme 5, Fast Play, Fast Play Pro, Pick 3 and Pick 4 only

    These prizes may be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont or at any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent.

    The ticket should be signed by the claimant

  • Instant Ticket Winnings

    Prizes, drawing and rules may be different on each Instant Ticket. For specific information a Instant Ticket, please visit the information page for that game listing.

    Prizes of $101 to $5,000 (For Instant Tickets Only)
    These prizes may be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont or at any M and T Bank  located in Vermont.

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification. The M and T Bank can pay claims during Vermont Lottery Headquarters business hours only. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters, M and T Bank  or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent. Vermont Lottery Agents may, at their option, pay instant ticket winners up to $499 however they are not required to do so.

    Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G's to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

    Prizes of $100 or less (For Instant Tickets Only)
    These prizes may be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont or at any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent that sells Instant tickets.

  • Foreign Persons

    Nonresident aliens are eligible to play and win Vermont Lottery games. For these individuals, Federal and Vermont State Income taxes are required to be withheld from winnings of $600 or more. The current withholding rate for Federal taxes for nonresident aliens is 30%. The withholding rate for Vermont State taxes for nonresident aliens 7.2%. Nonresident alien winnings and taxes withheld are reported on Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source of Income Subject to Withholding. Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue 1042-S forms to all nonresident alien winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

  • Powerball® Jackpot

    Vermont Powerball logo

    The Powerball Jackpot must be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont.

    If you match 5 regular numbers and the Powerball number you win the Jackpot! In the case of multiple winning tickets, the jackpot is divided equally among the number of winning jackpot tickets.

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification to Vermont Lottery Headquarters. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent. Claimants may be individuals, groups, or trusts. When you make your claim, Lottery Headquarters will then validate your ticket. You have 60 calendar days following the date of ticket validation to elect whether to receive the Jackpot (or your share of the jackpot) in one lump sum (cash option) or in 30 GRADUATED payments over 29 years (annuity option). Once you make that election it is final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed. If you do not choose within those 60 calendar days, you will automatically receive the annuity option.

    Funds for the initial payment of an annuitized prize or the lump sum cash prize shall be made no earlier than the fifteenth calendar day (or the next banking day if the fifteenth day is a holiday) following the drawing.

    The Vermont Lottery strongly urges claimants to contact Financial and Tax professionals prior to making this decision. You can find information about financial planning from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. www.CFP.net.

    Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to Federal Income Tax Withholding of at least 24% and Vermont State Income Tax Withholding of at least 6%. Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G’s to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

  • Megabucks® Jackpot

    Vermont Megabucks logo

    The Megabucks Jackpot must be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont.

    If you match 5 numbers plus the mega number you win the Megabucks Jackpot! In the case of multiple winning tickets, the jackpot is divided equally among the number of winning jackpot tickets.

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification to Vermont Lottery Headquarters. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent location. Claimants may be individuals, groups, or trusts. When you make your claim, Vermont Lottery Headquarters will then validate your ticket. You have 60 calendar days following the date of ticket validation to elect whether to receive the Jackpot (or your share of the jackpot) in one lump sum (cash option) or in 30 GRADUATED payments over 29 years (annuity option). Once you make that election it is final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed. If you do not choose within those 60 calendar days, you will automatically receive the annuity option.

    The Vermont Lottery strongly urges claimants to contact Financial and Tax professionals prior to making this decision. You can find information about financial planning from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (www.CFP.net) Once the option for payment is made, Lottery Headquarters has 5 working days to make payment to the claimant.

    Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to Federal Income Tax Withholding of at least 24% and Vermont State Income Tax Withholding of at least 6%. Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G’s to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

  • Mega Millions® Jackpot

    The Mega Millions Jackpot must be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont.

    If you match 5 regular numbers and the Mega Ball number you win the Jackpot! In the case of multiple winning tickets, the jackpot is divided equally among the number of winning jackpot tickets.

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification to Vermont Lottery Headquarters. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent. Claimants may be individuals, groups, or trusts. When you make your claim, Lottery Headquarters will then validate your ticket. You have 60 calendar days following the date of ticket validation to elect whether to receive the Jackpot (or your share of the jackpot) in one lump sum (cash option) or in 30 GRADUATED payments over 29 years (annuity option). Once you make that election it is final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed. If you do not choose within those 60 calendar days, you will automatically receive the annuity option.

    Funds for the initial payment of an annuitized prize or the lump sum cash prize shall be made no earlier than the fifteenth calendar day (or the next banking day if the fifteenth day is a holiday) following the drawing.

    The Vermont Lottery strongly urges claimants to contact Financial and Tax professionals prior to making this decision. You can find information about financial planning from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. www.CFP.net.

    Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to Federal Income Tax Withholding of at least 24% and Vermont State Income Tax Withholding of at least 6%. Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G’s to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

  • Lucky for Life™

    Lucky For Life logo

    The Lucky for Life Top Prize must be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont.

    If you match 5 regular numbers and the Lucky Ball number you win the Lucky for Life Top Prize ($1,000 a day for life!). The Top Prize shall be paid, at the winners’ option annually, monthly or weekly for a minimum of twenty (20) years. In the case of multiple winning tickets, the Top Prize is divided equally among the number of winning Top Prize tickets. A Top Prize winner may request the Cash Option, the amount of which is to be posted on the Lucky for Life website (www.luckyforlife.us ).

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification to Vermont Lottery Headquarters. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent location. Claimants may be individuals, groups, or trusts. Per the Lucky for Life Rules Section 5.2(a)(v), for a single wager, the measuring life of a Top Prize winner used to determine the duration over which the Top Prize is paid, shall be the natural life of the individual determined by the Lottery to be a Top Prize winner.

    If the Top Prize under a single wager is being claimed by more than one natural person or by a legal entity the measuring life for a Top Prize winner shall be twenty (20) years.

    When you make your claim, Vermont Lottery Headquarters will then validate your ticket. You have 60 calendar days following the date of ticket validation to elect whether to receive the Top Prize (or your share of the Top Prize) in annual payments of $365,000 (annual option), monthly payments of $30,416 (monthly option), weekly payments of $7,000 (weekly option), or a single one-time cash payment (cash option). Once you make that election it is final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed. If you do not choose within those 60 calendar days, you will automatically receive the annual option.

    The Vermont Lottery strongly urges claimants to contact Financial and Tax professionals prior to making this decision. You can find information about financial planning from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (www.CFP.net) Once the option for payment is made, Lottery Headquarters has five (5) working days to make payment to the claimant.

    Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to Federal Income Tax Withholding of at least 25% and Vermont State Income Tax Withholding of at least 6%. Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G’s to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year. The Lucky for Life Second Prize must be claimed at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, Vermont.

    If you match 5 regular numbers without matching the Lucky Ball number you win the Lucky for Life Second Prize ($25,000 a year for life!). The Second Prize shall be paid annually for a minimum of twenty (20) years. A Second Prize winner may request the Cash Option, the amount of which is to be posted on the Lucky for Life website (www.luckyforlife.us).

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification to Vermont Lottery Headquarters. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent location. Claimants may be individuals, groups, or trusts. Per the Lucky for Life Rules Section 5.2(b)(iv), for a single wager, the measuring life of a Second Prize winner used to determine the duration over which the Second Prize is paid, shall be the natural life of the individual determined by the Lottery to be a Second Prize winner.

    If the Second Prize under a single wager is being claimed by more than one natural person or by a legal entity the measuring life for a Second Prize winner shall be twenty (20) years.

    When you make your claim, Vermont Lottery Headquarters will then validate your ticket. You have 60 calendar days following the date of ticket validation to elect whether to receive the Second Prize in annual payments of $25,000 (annual option), or a one-time cash payment (cash option). Once you make that election it is final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed. If you do not choose within those 60 calendar days, you will automatically receive the annual option.

    The Vermont Lottery strongly urges claimants to contact Financial and Tax professionals prior to making this decision. You can find information about financial planning from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (www.CFP.net) Once the option for payment is made, Lottery Headquarters has five (5) working days to make payment to the claimant.

    Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to Federal Income Tax Withholding of at least 24% and Vermont State Income Tax Withholding of at least 6%. Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G’s to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.

  • Gimme 5 Top Prize

    Gimme 5 logo

    If you match 5 regular numbers you win the Top Prize! In the case of multiple winning tickets, the top prize is divided equally among the number of winning top prize tickets.

    The ticket must be signed by the claimant(s) and submitted with a completed claim form and valid identification to Vermont Lottery Headquarters. Claim forms are available at Vermont Lottery Headquarters or any authorized Vermont Lottery Agent. Claimants may be individuals, groups, or trusts. When you make your claim, Lottery Headquarters will then validate your ticket. You receive the Top Prize (or your share of the Top Prize) in one lump sum payment.

    The Vermont Lottery strongly urges claimants to contact Financial and Tax professionals prior to claiming their prize. You can find information about financial planning from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. www.CFP.net.

    Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to Federal Income Tax Withholding of at least 24% and Vermont State Income Tax Withholding of at least 6%. Each January the Vermont Lottery Headquarters will issue W-2G’s to all winners of $600 or more on a single ticket in the preceding calendar year.