18- 553 C.M.R. ch. 70, § III-3.0

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 553-70-III-3.0 - Game Designation

For purposes of identification, the Game shall have a designated game number in the Gaming System.

3.1Game Design. The Game is a five offifty-two (5 of 52) matrix game. Each Game Ticket features five (5) cards, randomly selected by the ADM. Each Ticket can win as follows:

3.1.1Instant Win Component. When the Hand printed on the Game Ticket contains a pair of jacks or better as described in section 4.3 of these rules for the instant win component.

3.1.2Drawing Component. When three (3), four (4) or five (5) of the cards in the Hand match the Winning Drawing Cards for that Drawing.

3.1.3ALL IN component. If purchased, when the Hand printed on the Game Ticket contains one of the top five instant win prize tiers.

3.2Game Purchases. Game Tickets or ticketless transactions must be purchased from a Terminal operated by a licensed lottery retailer, a Player Activated Terminal (if available) by using a touch screen, a lottery subscription system (if available), or other electronic means as approved by the Lottery.

3.3Ticket Format. Game Tickets shall include, but not be limited to, the Hand, Game logo or Game name, ticket cost, terminal number, barcode, serial number and drawing date. Game Tickets may also include the selling date, time stamp and any information required by the Lottery's state laws pertaining to the validation of Game Tickets.

3.4Ticket Price. Each Game Ticket shall be sold at retail at the price established by the Commission.

3.5Play Restrictions. Game Tickets may not be sold to or purchased by minors under the age of 18 years or any of the persons set forth in 8 M.R.S.A. Section 381.

3.6Ticket Cancellations Prohibited. A Game Ticket may not be cancelled or voided by returning the Game Ticket to the Retailer or to the Lottery. A Game Ticket accepted by the Retailer as a returned ticket and that cannot be resold shall be deemed as owned by the bearer thereof. This prohibition also applies to a Game Ticket that may be printed in error by the Retailer. No Game Ticket, or physical portion there of, which may be used to claim a prize, shall be returned to Lottery for credit.

3.7Game Sell-Out Prohibited. A Lottery Retailer shall not directly and knowingly sell a Game Ticket or combination of Game Tickets to any natural person or legal entity that would guarantee such Purchaser a prize win.

3.8Exchange Ticket. A Game Ticket containing an Instant Win Hand may be validated prior to the Draw Break of the Drawing stated on that Game Ticket. The Gaming System will generate an Exchange Ticket to replace a Game Ticket that was validated before the stated Draw Break. An exchange Ticket shall contain the exact Hand and Drawing date that appear on the validated Game Ticket. Exchange Tickets are not eligible for instant win prizes.

3.9Claims. A Game Ticket, subject to the validation requirements, shall be the only proof of a Game Play and the submission of a winning Game Ticket to the Lottery or Lottery Retailer shall be the sole method of claiming a prize or prizes. Under no circumstances will a claim be paid for a Top Prize or a second prize without a winning Game Ticket. Lost or missing Game Tickets may not be honored or processed for payment or replacement.

3.10Limited to Highest Prize Won. In connection with the winning numbers drawn, the holder of a winning Game Ticket may win only one (1) prize per play and shall be entitled only to the prize won by those numbers in the highest matching prize category.

3.11Prize Claim Period. All prizes including the top prize must be claimed as directed within 366 calendar days of the drawing in which the prize was won. For purposes of determining the claim period, the first (draw) day shall be excluded, and the last day included. In the event that the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal Holiday, the time to claim shall be extended to close of business on the next day thereafter when the Lottery office is open for business. Any prize not claimed within the specified period shall be forfeited.

3.12Player Responsibility. It shall be the Player's sole responsibility to verify the accuracy of the Game Play (or Plays) and the other data printed on the Game Ticket. The placing of wagers is done at the Player's own risk through the Lottery Retailer.

3.13Prize Payments. The Lottery may not pay prizes that are less than or more than the prize amounts established in accordance with these rules. Lottery Retailers shall only pay the prize amounts the Lottery establishes. All Game prizes will be paid in a lump sum upon completion of validation procedures.

3.14Expired Unclaimed Prizes. Prizes which are unclaimed for a period of one (1) year after the drawing date on the Game Ticket revert to the expired unclaimed prize pool to be distributed to players in the form of special promotions or drawings.

3.15Ticket Validation Requirements

3.15.1Specific Requirements for Validation of Tickets. To be a valid ticket and eligible to receive a prize, all the following requirements must be satisfied:

3.15.1.1 The ticket or ticketless transaction must have been issued by the Lottery through a licensed agent, via a terminal or other means as authorized by the Lottery, The ticket must be intact and must not be mutilated, altered, reconstructed, or tampered with in any manner. Ticketless transactions must be properly registered in the Lottery Gaming System and verified by the Lottery.

3.15.1.2 The ticket date must have been recorded in the Lottery's central computer system at least one (1) minute prior to the drawing; even if it appears that a bet is accepted (by virtue of a printed ticket), any bet placed other than at least one (1) minute prior to the drawing (regardless of when the drawing is held) is void.

3.15.1.3 The information appearing on the ticket must correspond precisely with the Lottery's computer record.

3.15.1.4 The ticket validation number must appear in its entirety, and correspond, using a computer validation file, to the winning game play or plays printed on the ticket. The ticket stock sequential number on the back of the ticket must correspond to the Lottery's inventory records.

3.15.1.5 The ticket must not be defectively printed, fuzzy, produced in error, counterfeit in whole or in part, altered, unreadable, reconstructed, tampered with in any manner, stolen, blank or partially blank, misregistered, or defective.

3.15.1.6 All information appearing on an apparent winning ticket must correspond to the Lottery's records of winning tickets, and another ticket with identical data shall not have been paid.

3.15.1.7 The ticket must be intact, fully legible, complete, and correspond to the data on file at the Lottery in every respect.

3.15.1.8 The ticket must pass all other security criteria determined by the BABLO.

3.15.1.9 The ticket must be validated in accordance with the provisions of these rules relating to the procedures for claiming prizes and for the payment there of.

3.15.1.10 An apparent winning ticket shall be void unless the ticket paper stock roll which was in use at the time of the bet by, and validly issued to, the agent from whom the ticket was purchased.

3.15.1.11 In the event that a ticket fails to pass all the criteria set forth in Section 3.15 of these rules, the ticket shall be deemed void and ineligible for any prize and shall not be paid. In the event of a dispute or other instance of doubt, the decision of the director shall be final and binding. If the director determines that the ticket is not eligible to receive a prize, then the director may, at the director's option, replace an invalid, defective or otherwise erroneous ticket with a ticket of equivalent sales price from any current lottery game. Replacement of the ticket shall be the bearer or claimant's sole and exclusive remedy.

18- 553 C.M.R. ch. 70, § III-3.0