Illinois Lottery Claims Department P.O. Box 19080 Springfield, Illinois. If you have any questions on mailing your claim, email the Illinois Lottery Claims Department at LOT.Claims@illinois.gov. If you won over $1 million please call the Illinois Lottery Claims Department at (217)-524-5147 immediately! Illinois Department of Revenue and Illinois Gaming Board officials are still poring over the new 861-page bill to try to understand its effects on the state's financial and gambling landscape. Illinois Gambling and Lottery Laws Lotteries, casinos, race tracks, and other games of chance often are proposed as ways to raise tax revenue for the state, with varying results. Illinois runs a statewide lottery and also allows floating casinos (typically on riverboats) and horse racing venues. Now, Jolene and an estimated 300,000 problem gamblers in Illinois are flooded with more gaming advertising and opportunities than ever. (WTTW News) State officials say there are 17 state-funded service providers for gambling addiction, but the Illinois Department of Human Services website lists only 14, most of which are in the Chicago area.

How do I claim my prize if it’s $600 or under?

If you won $600 or less from a Lottery ticket you purchased online, your winnings will be deposited directly into your online account.

If you purchased a Lottery ticket from a retailer and won, you can collect your winnings directly from most Lottery retailers. You can also visit one of the Lottery Claims Centers for validation and prize payment, or mail the ticket to the Central Lottery Office in Springfield after you have signed the back of the ticket and completed a claim form and questionnaire.

Central Lottery Office address:

ILLINOIS LOTTERY CLAIMS DEPARTMENT

P.O. BOX 19080

SPRINGFIELD, IL 62794-9080

The Lottery Claims Center must receive the claim form and ticket within one year after the drawing date or, for Instant Tickets, within one year after the game’s announced end date. Although it is extremely rare, tickets mailed to Springfield for payment can be lost; therefore, certified mail with receipt acknowledgment is highly recommended.

How do I claim my prize if it’s over $600?

For prizes over $600 but less than $1 million, you can either:

• Fill out a claim form and questionnaire and mail it—along with the signed ticket—to the Central Lottery Office in Springfield. Sending the documents via certified mail with receipt acknowledgment is highly recommended.

or

• Visit one of the Lottery Claims Centers listed below to receive winnings up to $25,000 immediately (less State and federal tax withholding). For prizes over $25,000 but less than $1,000,000, the Claims Centers will deliver your claim form and ticket to the Central Lottery Office in Springfield. The Department of the Lottery is not responsible for lost or misdirected claims.

For prizes of $1 million or more, please call the Central Lottery Office at 1-217-524-5147 for assistance.

Please note: When you visit a Claims Center and file a claim for any prize amount, you will be required to present a government-issued photo ID AND proof of your Social Security number (e.g., a Social Security card, tax return, or paycheck stub).

Illinois Department Of Revenue Gambling Winnings Real Money

Claims Center Locations:

CHICAGO

**NOTE** The location in the Thompson Center changed on July 22nd, 2019**

James R. Thompson Center

100 W. Randolph St.

Suite C-300 (Concourse Floor)

Chicago, IL 60601

1-312-793-2385

8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

DES PLAINES

Regional Office 1, 2, & 6

9511 Harrison St.

Des Plaines, IL 60016

1-847-294-4851

8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

ROCKFORD

Regional Office 3

200 S. Wyman St.

Rockford, IL 61101

1-815-987-7018

8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

Regional Office 4

15 Executive Drive

Suite One

Fairview Heights, IL 62208

1-618-624-8670

8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

SPRINGFIELD

Central Lottery Office

101 W. Jefferson St.

Springfield, IL 62702

1-217-524-5147

8:30 AM-4:30 PM CT

Is there any time limit on when I can claim my prize?

Prizes won in Pick 3, Pick 4, Lucky Day Lotto®, Lotto, Powerball® or Mega Millions® must be claimed within one year after the drawing date. Instant Ticket prizes must be claimed within one year after the game’s announced end date.

Do I have to pay taxes on winnings?

You do need to pay taxes on Lottery prizes. We strongly suggest players to contact a financial planner, tax attorney or preparer, the Internal Revenue Service (1-800-424-1040) and/or Illinois Department of Revenue (1-800-732-8866 or 1-217-782-3336) for more information.

How can I lower taxes on a major prize?

While we cannot advise players on taxes or the use of their individual prizes, we strongly suggest you contact a financial planner, tax attorney or preparer, the Internal Revenue Service (1-800-424-1040) and/or Illinois Department of Revenue (1-800-732-8866 or 1-217-782-3336).

What happens to my winnings if I die?

If a winner dies before receiving the entire prize, the balance is paid to his or her estate. Under certain circumstances, the prize winner’s estate or trust may have the option to receive all future payments as a one-time, net present-value payment. That payment amount would be determined in accordance with applicable State laws and administrative rules.

If I win a large prize or jackpot, can I avoid having my name released?

Illinois Department Of Revenue Gambling Winnings Cash

To assure the public that prizes are won and awarded, the Lottery routinely publishes winner information, including the name, home city and the amount won. We do not, however, publish winners’ addresses, telephone numbers or other personal information. Multi-million dollar winners may be required to participate in a one-time public relations event in which the winner typically receives an oversized souvenir check.