Do Scratch-Off Tickets Expire? Understanding Deadlines, State Policies, and Redemption Strategies

Written by Jackpot Staff

May 13, 2025

Have you ever found an old scratch-off ticket tucked away in your wallet or drawer and wondered if it's still valid? You're not alone! Many lottery enthusiasts face this common dilemma, and the answer isn't as straightforward as you might hope. Let's dive into everything you need to know about scratch-off ticket expiration dates to ensure you never miss out on a potential windfall.

Yes, Scratch-Off Tickets Do Expire

The short answer is absolutely yes – scratch-off tickets have expiration dates, and these deadlines are strictly enforced by state lottery commissions across the country. Miss the deadline, and you can kiss your potential winnings goodbye!

"We DO NOT pay on expired tickets," states the Virginia Lottery explicitly on their website, echoing the firm stance taken by lottery organizations nationwide.

Most scratch-off tickets expire somewhere between 90 days and one year after a game officially ends, not from the date you purchased the ticket. This distinction is crucial for understanding how expiration dates work.

How Expiration Periods Work

Unlike many consumer products that have a clear "use by" date stamped on them, scratch-off tickets work differently. Their expiration is tied to the game's end date rather than the purchase date, which creates a unique timing challenge for players.

When you buy a scratch-off ticket, you won't find an expiration date printed on it. Instead, the validity period begins counting down once the lottery commission officially ends the game. This typically happens when:

• All top prizes have been claimed
• Sales performance drops below expectations
• Seasonal games (like holiday-themed tickets) reach their natural conclusion
• The lottery introduces new games to replace older ones

Once a game ends, players generally have between 90 to 180 days to claim any prizes, depending on state regulations.

State-by-State Expiration Policies

Lottery rules vary significantly from state to state, creating a patchwork of different deadlines across the country:

In Virginia and Colorado, players have 180 days after a game's end date to claim their prizes.

Maryland gives scratch-off winners a slightly longer window of 182 days to redeem their tickets.

Wisconsin follows the 180-day rule for scratch-offs but removes expired games from retailer inventories promptly after this period.

New Jersey traditionally offered a generous one-year redemption period after games ended, though this has been subject to change.

Lottery rules differ significantly by state, and policies can change. The following are examples as of early 2025, but always verify with your state's official lottery resource to determine when your ticket expires.

Why Don't Tickets Show Expiration Dates?

You might wonder why lottery commissions don't simply print expiration dates directly on tickets to avoid confusion. The Iowa Lottery addressed this question directly:

"The ending date for a scratch game isn't known when tickets in that game are printed," they explained. Game termination depends on unpredictable factors like prize claim patterns and sales performance, making it impossible to pre-determine end dates during production.

This uncertainty means players must actively check their state lottery's website or mobile app to verify if their tickets remain valid.

What Happens When a Ticket Expires?

When a scratch-off ticket expires, several things happen:

• The ticket becomes completely invalid for redemption
• Any unclaimed prize money is typically redirected to state education funds or other public programs
• Some states roll unclaimed funds into future prize pools

In New Jersey, for example, about 30% of unclaimed prize money supports education initiatives, while the remainder bolsters jackpots for future games.

Once a deadline passes, there are virtually no exceptions or appeals processes – the money is simply gone from your grasp.

COVID-19 Changed The Rules (Temporarily)

The pandemic demonstrated that while expiration policies are generally rigid, they can flex under extraordinary circumstances. Several states implemented temporary extensions:

South Carolina extended deadlines for tickets expiring between March and August 2020 until August 31, 2020.

Connecticut added 30 extra days to claims originally expiring in March and April 2020.

New Jersey pushed back deadlines for 18 specific scratch-off games by six months during the height of the pandemic.

These rare exceptions underscore the normally strict nature of expiration policies while showing that lotteries can adapt when necessary.

How to Check If Your Scratch-Off Is Still Valid

Worried about a ticket you've been holding onto? Here's how to verify if it's still redeemable:

Visit your state lottery's official website, which typically maintains lists of active, closing, and expired games.

Download your state's lottery mobile app, which often includes ticket scanning features that instantly tell you if a ticket remains valid.

Call the lottery's customer service line for direct confirmation about specific games.

Check for "last day to claim" notices that many states publish as games approach their redemption deadlines.

For example, the Texas Lottery maintains a detailed webpage listing all closing games and their corresponding redemption deadlines, making it easy to verify a ticket's status.

Second-Chance Opportunities

Even if your winning window has closed for cash redemption, all hope isn't necessarily lost. Many states offer second-chance drawings that can give expired or non-winning tickets new life:

Some lottery commissions allow players to enter non-winning tickets into special drawings for cash or merchandise prizes.

These second-chance opportunities typically have their own deadline periods (often 180 days from game end), so prompt action remains important.

Apps like the Virginia Lottery's mobile application streamline the process of entering these drawings, making it easier to get additional value from tickets that might otherwise be worthless.

Tax and Privacy Considerations

If you do find yourself with a valid winning ticket, be aware of these important factors:

Prizes over $600 must be reported to the IRS, with appropriate documentation required at claim time.

For winnings exceeding $5,000, expect automatic withholding of approximately 24% for federal taxes and potentially additional state taxes (like Virginia's 4% withholding).

Most states publish winners' names and hometowns for transparency purposes, though some jurisdictions like Virginia now allow anonymity for very large prizes (over $10 million).

Real-World Consequences: The Millions Left Unclaimed

The impact of expiration dates isn't theoretical – substantial sums go unclaimed every year. As of January 2025, New Jersey had 54 scratch-off games with approximately $4.9 million in unclaimed prizes. These funds included significant top-tier awards that winners never collected, likely because they missed redemption deadlines or lost their tickets.

Such statistics highlight why understanding expiration policies isn't just academic – real money is at stake.

Practical Tips for Scratch-Off Players

To avoid missing out on potential winnings, consider adopting these habits:

• Check tickets promptly after purchase rather than letting them accumulate.
• Store valid tickets in sealed containers or protective sleeves to prevent damage, as physical condition affects validity.
• Set calendar reminders for game end dates of tickets you're holding.
• Sign the back of tickets immediately after purchase to establish ownership.
• Take photos of winning tickets as backup documentation.
• Use official lottery apps to track active games and deadlines.

Are Online Lottery Services Different?

If you order scratch-offs through services like Jackpot.com, the same state expiration rules generally apply.

However, digital platforms often provide advantages like:

• Automatic prize verification and notification
• Secure ticket storage without risk of physical loss
• Reminders about approaching expiration dates
• Streamlined claim processes for smaller prizes

These features can significantly reduce the risk of missing redemption windows, making online lottery services increasingly popular among players concerned about expiration issues.

Time Is of the Essence

The excitement of scratch-off games comes with an important caveat – the clock is always ticking on your potential winnings. By understanding how expiration periods work and actively monitoring game end dates, you can ensure you never miss out on claiming prizes you've legitimately won.

So what are you waiting for? Check those tickets hiding in your wallet, drawer, or car console before it's too late! The difference between a worthless piece of paper and a valuable winning ticket often comes down to nothing more than timing.

Remember: when it comes to scratch-off tickets, procrastination can be costly. Check early, claim promptly, and never let your hard-won prizes slip away to expiration.