Do Scratch Off Lottery Tickets Expire?

Written by Jackpot Staff

Updated: December 22, 2025

Ever pull an old scratch off ticket out of your pocket or find one wedged in a kitchen drawer and start wondering if it’s still redeemable? It happens more often than you’d think. Many players are unsure how long their tickets stay valid—and the rules can be surprisingly tricky. To help you avoid losing out on a prize you didn’t even realize you had, here’s what you need to know about scratch off expiration dates and how they work.

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.

"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 Lottery Ticket 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 Scratch Off Ticket 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 2025, but always verify with your state's official lottery resource to determine when your ticket expires.

Why Don't Scratch Off 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 Lottery 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.

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 Lottery 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 for Lottery Winnings

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).

What Happens to Unclaimed Lottery Prizes?

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.

Unclaimed lottery prizes are redistributed based on state or lottery rules. In most cases, the money is returned to the state to support public programs like education, health services, or general funds. Some lotteries also use unclaimed funds to boost future jackpots, create special promotions, or offer bonus prizes and second-chance drawings.

Tips for Scratch Off Lottery 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.