Found an Old Scratch-Off in a Drawer? Here's How to Tell If It's Still Good
Everybody has found one. You are cleaning out the truck, an old coat, or the junk drawer by the phone, and there is a scratch-off you do not even remember buying. Maybe it is scratched, maybe it is not. Can you still cash it? Sometimes yes. Here is how to find out.
First, check if it even won
If it is already scratched, look at it in good light and match the numbers against the rules printed on the ticket. But do not trust your own eyes on this. The easiest thing is to take it to any lottery retailer and have them scan it, or run the barcode through your state lottery's app or website. The scanner tells you plainly whether it is a winner and for how much. We walk through both ways in how to check a scratch-off online and how to tell if a ticket is actually a winner.
The real question: has it expired?
This is where old tickets get tricky. Every scratch-off has a claim deadline, and once the game ends, the clock starts running. Most states give you somewhere between 90 days and a year after the game closes to claim a prize. The part that trips people up is that the deadline is tied to when the game ended, not when you bought the ticket. So a ticket from a game that wrapped up two years ago is very likely past its window. There is more on that in how long you have to claim and whether scratch-offs expire.
How to check the deadline
Two easy ways. First, look the game up by name on your state lottery's site. Ended games almost always list a last day to claim. Second, just call the lottery's customer line, read them the game name and the number on the ticket, and ask. They will tell you in about a minute whether it is still good.
A word on unscratched tickets
An unscratched ticket you find is still worth checking. If the game is still running, or still inside its claim window, that ticket is live. Scratch it, or have it scanned. Just do not assume old means worthless until you have checked the date. The five minutes it takes is worth it. Worst case, it is a loser and you toss it. Best case, that drawer just paid you back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a scratch-off from years ago?
Only if the game's claim deadline has not passed. Most games close their claim window within a year of ending, so a ticket several years old is usually too late. It costs nothing to check, though.
How do I find out if an old game has expired?
Look the game up by name on your state lottery's website, where ended games list a final claim date, or call the lottery and read them the game number printed on the ticket.
What happens to my prize if I miss the deadline?
It cannot be paid. The money goes back to the state, usually into the prize pool, public programs, or education, depending on where you live.
Jessie Jurado covers consumer lottery topics with a focus on odds, value, and the math most players never see. She believes nobody should buy a scratch ticket without knowing what they're actually getting for their money.
