When You Win
If you won, Congratulations! But now what? Where do you claim your prize? Do you owe taxes? What are your payment options? Read below for all the answers.
NOTICE: lottery offices are currently closed for in-person claims
Our offices are closed to the public, but we’re still hard at work fulfilling prize claims by the hundreds each week! Read below for details.
New! Check to see if your mailed or dropped off prize has been processed
How to Claim Your Prize
To claim prizes over $50,000
If you’re lucky enough to have a big win, you’ll need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance.
To claim prizes up to $50,000
Prizes can be claimed by mail and smaller prizes can also be claimed at a Lottery retailer (see below for details). We recommend sending your ticket by registered mail or by using our secure drop box at Lottery headquarters in Salem.
- Be sure to sign the back of your ticket.
- Complete the Winner Claim Form. Be sure to keep a copy for your own records.
- Put both the Winner Claim Form and your signed original winning ticket in an envelope.
- Either drop the sealed envelope into the drop box at Lottery headquarters or mail it to us.
Winner Claim Form – English, Spanish
Sending by mail
Mail to:
Oregon Lottery
PO Box 14515
Salem, OR 97309
Please only send claims to the Salem office address above. Mail-in claims are not processed at the Wilsonville payment center. Note: Because we need your physical winning ticket, we are unable to accept claims by fax or email.
Using the drop box
New! For those who prefer to drop off their winning ticket, we now have a secure drop box at Oregon Lottery headquarters in Salem. Be sure to sign your ticket and include it with a claim form in a single envelope when using the drop box. Forms are stocked adjacent to the drop box, but consider downloading one in advance (link above) just in case!
- Outdoor access for 24/7 availability
- Your claim will be processed on a weekday, regardless of when we receive it
- Look for the box near the window with the awning at Oregon Lottery headquarters
- Location (please do not mail to this address): 500 Airport Rd SE, Salem, OR 97301
Claiming prizes at the retailer or on the Scoreboard app
Some prizes can be claimed at Oregon Lottery retailers or through the Scoreboard app:
- Scratch-it, Keno, and jackpot drawing winners of up to $600 can be claimed at any Oregon Lottery retailer
- Video Lottery prizes of up to $1,250 may be claimed at the retailer where the prize was won (within 28 days of the date the ticket was issued).
- If you win on Oregon Lottery Scoreboard, our sports betting app, your prizes and taxes are managed through the Scoreboard app.
In most cases, you have up to a year to claim your prize. Some winners may opt to postpone their claim as our open hours may change over time. If you choose to delay claiming your prize, it’s especially important to sign your ticket and keep it in a safe place.
When will I get my prize?
The simple answer is as soon as possible!
But with mailing, processing time, and staffing levels that are sometimes impacted by this year’s unique challenges, pinning down an exact timeline is difficult. We’ve outlined the process below to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Be assured that, just like you, we want to get your prize processed quickly. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
What is the status of my prize claim?
If you mailed in or dropped off your prize claim, you can check its processing status here.
Prize Claim Timeline
WIN! The first step might just be the hardest. But if you’re here to claim a prize, you already did it. Congratulations!
SEND Unless your win is over $50,000, you can mail your signed ticket and claim form to us (preferably by registered mail), or, if you prefer, you can use the prize claim drop box in Salem.
PROCESSING Once we get your claim, we’ll start the process of issuing your Elan Prepaid Card or check. Processing time depends on how many prize claims we’ve received and staffing levels. Although we work as quickly as we can, please allow up to three weeks for this step.
RETURN MAIL Yay! Your prepaid card or check is on its way. Once it’s in your hands, you’re on your own for the final step – deciding what to do with your win. Congrats!
Tax and Payout Information
State Tax
The Oregon Lottery automatically withholds an 8% state tax on all prizes of $1,500 or more. This follows state law effective January 1, 2018.
Federal Tax
Non-Video Lottery prizes over $5,000 will have both the 8% state and 24% federal taxes withheld.
For Video Lottery prizes, only the 8% state tax withheld.
W2G
At the time you receive your prize, the Lottery will provide you with your W2G tax forms.
Residency
If a winner is a non-resident alien, the Lottery is required to withhold 30% federal withholding tax from all prize payments. For prizes of $1,500 and more, Oregon state tax withholding is 8%.
Jackpot Games Payout Options
Cash or Annuity?
You’ve won an Oregon Lottery jackpot! Yay!!! Did you know you have a couple of options on how to take your prize winnings?
If you win a jackpot playing Powerball, Mega Millions or Oregon’s Game Megabucks, you have two options – choose between a one-time cash payment or you can receive 30 annual installments. You’ll need to choose one when you come to the Lottery office to claim your prize.
Not sure what to do?! You have the option of validating your winning ticket at the Lottery office and then take some time – not too much time – to consider how to take your prize. You’ll need to make your choice within 60 days of the date you brought your winning ticket to the Lottery to be validated.
I’ll Take the Lump Sum, Please!
If you choose the one-time cash payment, you will receive one-half of the advertised prize (less appropriate taxes) in one lump sum.
I’d Like 30 Years of Prize Payments!
You second option is to choose the 30-year annuity. Winners of a Powerball, Mega Millions or Oregon’s Game Megabucks jackpot prize who choose the 30-year annuity, fill out a beneficiary designation form when you claim your prize. This form designates who will receive the remaining annuity payments if the winner passes away before the 30-year annuity payments have ended.
