Lottery News

New York Lottery players have been facing issues in claiming their winning amounts due to the availability of limited options to claim the lottery winnings since the pandemic hit. But this limitedness, long wait, and no sense of relief in the near future, is actually causing them to simmer with rage.

As New York City has no lottery service centers open yet, winners claiming prizes above $600, have no choice but to visit the New York Upstate. Even then, their next available appointment for claiming the prize can be skipped to weeks or months, depending on the location. As per the current schedule, most locations outside the city have availability starting towards the end of September into October. For the Plainview location in Long Island, the next slot isn't available until December 3, 2020, nearly three months to go.

The lottery players are highly furious and frustrated, as privately owned casinos are open but the state-run claim centers in the city are still shut, due to which they are not able to encash their winnings.

The New York State Gaming Commission said in a statement, that the Commission is working on examining how to re-establish their lottery services, while minimizing the risk of the novel coronavirus, to both, the employees and the lottery players. The Commission is working on finalizing a process that is practical while maintaining safety.

In the meantime, the Lottery Customer Service Centers are open throughout the state, following all the safety measures. The Service Centers are managing the players on an appointment basis following strict protocols regarding proper sanitization and personal protective equipment.

The Commission also emphasized on alternative claiming procedures, so that players do not have to face the hassle of in-person claims. Winning tickets worth or less than $600 can be claimed immediately at any authorized lottery retailer. Lottery prizes greater than $600 can be claimed through the mail or at a service center dropbox.

For now, the winners have to decide whether they want to go for long drives and wait or claim their winnings through the mail. But don't worry, soon the New York Lottery will come out with an easier process and everything will be normal.