Section 65 IAC 3-4-4 - Procedure for awarding prizesAuthority: IC 4-30-3-7; IC 4-30-3-9
Affected: IC 4-30-9
Sec. 4.
(a) Upon the presentation of a lottery ticket to a retailer with validation capabilities for prize payment, the retailer shall verify that it is visually consistent with the features of a winning ticket and examine it for any alteration. A retailer shall not make any payment on a ticket that does not meet the validation requirements of this title.(b) Each scratch-off, draw, and pull-tab ticket shall contain a unique bar code. A winning scratch-off, draw, or pull-tab ticket shall be further validated and redeemed by a retailer with validation capabilities in the following manner: (1) If a scratch-off ticket, draw ticket, or pull-tab ticket is entitled to a prize of less than or equal to twenty-five dollars ($25), a retailer shall validate the scratch-off ticket, draw ticket, or pull-tab ticket as a winning lottery ticket with the bar code reader and shall redeem a valid winning scratch-off ticket, draw ticket, or pull-tab ticket notwithstanding the location at which the ticket was purchased.(2) If a scratch-off ticket, draw ticket, or pull-tab ticket is entitled to a prize of less than or equal to five hundred ninety-nine dollars ($599) but greater than twenty-five dollars ($25), a retailer may, only upon validating the scratch-off ticket, draw ticket, or pull-tab ticket as a winning lottery ticket with the bar code reader, redeem the valid winning scratch-off ticket, draw ticket, or pull-tab ticket notwithstanding the location at which the ticket was purchased.(c) A retailer who does not sell instant tickets but has a bar code reader issued by the commission may redeem a scratch-off ticket or pull-tab ticket presented for prize payment. A retailer who does not sell draw tickets shall not redeem a draw ticket presented for prize payment.(d) The retailer shall pay any winning lottery ticket with a cash prize of twenty-five dollars ($25) or less in cash or new lottery tickets with the consent of the lottery ticket holder. Any winning lottery ticket with a cash prize exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25), but not exceeding five hundred ninety-nine dollars ($599), shall be paid with cash, check, or money order, at the retailer's discretion. Any noncash prize which a retailer is authorized to deliver shall be delivered in the manner required by the rule applicable to a specific lottery game or as specified by the director.(e) A retailer shall not pay any claim to a person who is under the age of eighteen (18) and shall refer any claims made by minors to the commission.(f) If a retailer pays any claim on a ticket which was not a winner for any reason, the retailer will be held responsible to the commission for the improper payment. The retailer may seek reimbursement from the person whose name appears on the back of the ticket and that person shall reasonably reimburse the retailer.(g) If a lottery ticket appears altered, torn, misprinted, illegible, or damaged, a retailer is not required to validate the ticket and shall refer the player to the commission.State Lottery Commission; 65 IAC 3-4-4; emergency rule filed Sep 5, 1989, 3:20 p.m.: 13 IR 102; emergency rule filed May 7, 1990, 2:10 p.m.: 13 IR 1737; emergency rule filed Oct 7, 1991, 2:00 p.m.: 15 IR 112; emergency rule filed Jan 29, 1992, 12:00 p.m.: 15 IR 1039; errata filed Feb 25, 1992, 11:00 a.m.: 15 IR 1222; emergency rule filed Sep 3, 1992, 9:00 a.m.: 16 IR 77; errata, 16 IR 751; readopted filed Nov 30, 2001, 11:02 a.m.: 25 IR 1268; emergency rule filed Aug 23, 2002, 1:27 p.m.: 26 IR 41, eff Aug 29, 2002; readopted filed Nov 14, 2007, 3:02 p.m.: 20071212-IR- 065070656RFA; emergency rule filed Jun 30, 2009, 10:10 a.m.: 20090701-IR-065090483ERA, eff Jul 1, 2009; emergency rule filed Dec 18, 2009, 10:05 a.m.: 20091230-IR-065090989ERA; emergency rule filed Jul 29, 2010, 3:51 p.m.: 20100804-IR- 065100492ERA