WHERE THE MONEY GOES
What happens to the prize money that is not awarded when a scratch game ends?
Ticket sales generate the income to pay the prizes in a game. For example, if only 85 percent of a game sells, then only 85 percent of the expected income to pay prizes came into the lottery.
Why doesn’t lottery money go to education?
The state constitution and law determine the distribution of lottery proceeds. Currently, Minnesota’s General Fund receives 60 percent of net proceeds, which supports state programs like education, health and human services and public safety. The remaining 40 percent of net proceeds goes to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which finances environment and natural resources projects across the entire state. A 6.5 percent in-lieu-of-sales tax is directed to the Game and Fish Fund and Natural Resources Fund for fish and game, parks, trails, and zoos.
Where does unclaimed prize money go?
In Minnesota, unclaimed prize money goes to Minnesota’s General Fund.
GAME-MIX
Why did the MN lottery quit selling Lucky for Life? Does the MN lottery have any plans to replace this game?
We continually evaluate our games and make changes in order to offer the best possible game lineup for our players and Minnesota. There will not be a replacement for the Lucky for Life game at this time but we are always considering the possibility of new games and if they would be a good fit.
Will we ever get a Pick 4 game like Wisconsin?
We have no immediate plans to offer a Pick 4 game here in Minnesota but we are always considering the possibility of new games.
Will we ever get Keno in Minnesota?
We have no plans to offer Keno in Minnesota.
PRIZE STRUCTURES
Why doesn’t PB or MM give out several $1 million prizes instead of just one large winner?
Powerball and Mega Millions are specifically designed for players who want to play for the chance to win large jackpots. Both Powerball and Mega Millions offer several different prize tiers, including a $1 million prize level.
PROMOTIONS
Would you consider bringing back the Raffle T-shirts?
Minnesota Millionaire Raffle is one of our best-selling games and tickets have consistently sold out every year since we’ve offered it. We are not currently planning on bringing back the raffle t-shirt but we love seeing people wear the old ones!
POINT-OF-PURCHASE
What is the mandatory POS that I must have? My stores are getting too cluttered.
Talk to your lottery sales representative. They will be able to show what point-of-purchase is required by state statute and where it should be placed.
Do I have to have a jackpot sign?
Jackpot signs are not required, but we encourage you to talk to your lottery sales representative so they can show you why optional point-of-purchase placement is good for your business.
ACCEPTED PAYMENT OPTIONS
Does the Lottery have any plans to partner with PayPal, Venmo or Square since many people no longer carry cash?
We do not have any immediate plans to do so at this time.
Why does state law prohibit credit cards?
State law makers have determined that credit cards can’t be used to buy scratch however debit cards are accepted.
Can I take a money order as payment for lottery tickets?
Yes, money orders are the same as cash. However, it is ultimately up to the store to accept this form of payment.
Can I accept debit cards for lottery purchases?
Many players don’t realize that they can purchase lottery tickets using a debit card. If you would like point-of-purchase messaging letting your customers know that debit cards are an accepted form of payment, ask your lottery sales representative for details.
SMARTCOUNT™
Why does Smartcount want you to change shifts before loading an additional pack when I just sold out of the previous one?
This can happen when a shift change is in process. Before a shift change is initiatives, make sure that all packs Settled or Activated during that shift have been marked as Sold Out or have been loaded. This will avoid any additional steps to correct the addition or removal of a pack.
When I do a sold-out pack in SmartCount, why doesn’t it settle automatically?
Any time a pack move has a financial impact; we want it to be intentional. In some cases, only mangers are allowed to make status changes that have a financial associated with them.
I loaded a pack in SmartCount, but why does the pack still say it hasn’t been activated? Why does it take multiple steps? When are we going to change it?
SmartCount is meant for sales and inventory tracking only. You must complete a pack activation prior to loading the game into SmartCount. Every pack move is intended to be intentional, to avoid mistakes, and better yet, avoid opportunities for potential theft or shortages. SmartCount scans cannot be changed or manipulated on purpose. SmartCount also does not carry a financial impact in case of mistakes.
RETAILER SERVICES PORTAL
I signed up for the retailer service portal, but it won’t let me sign in.
You will need to find the activation email after submitting the retailer info to sign in. Make sure to check your junk and spam folders. If you still can’t find the activation email, contact Customer Support to check on the status of your registration and request a new activation email to be sent.
I’m locked out of the retailer services portal; how do I unlock it to get back in.
Contact the Lottery’s Customer Support and they can assist with password resets.
There have been some management changes and I don’t have the username or any of the information for the retailer services portal.
When there is a change in management additional steps are required to change or update the contact for your RSP account. Please have your State Tax ID number available to verify you are a secure contact for the account. Once we can verify your information, we may change the contact’s name and email address associated with the account. The easiest way to avoid this is to use a universal email and username when creating your business account in the RSP to ensure easy account access for all future employees.
RETAILER COMMISSIONS, INCENTIVES & BONUSES
Why isn’t there a selling bonus for the top prize of a $2 scratch ticket?
We currently incentivize our retailers for selling our higher price games ($5 and above). We are reviewing our current selling bonus program and may make changes in the future.
Why aren’t retailers getting more T-shirts or something fun because of the record sales during 2020? You always talk about returning more for the state, but retailers aren’t receiving anything fun/rewarding for doing this.
We have found that the best (and retailer preferred) way to reward our retailers for selling more tickets is the increased selling and cashing commissions that we have put into place. We also have our Retailer Selling Bonus program that rewards retailers for selling the top prizes in our most popular games. We continually evaluate retailer incentives.
What happened to Vikings items in the POP kits?
This year we opted to place the Vikings schedule in the POP kits rather than a premium item. We plan on placing a premium item back into the POP kits next year.
LOTTERY EQUIPMENT
Can I get an instant ticket vending machines at my business?
The placement of vending machines is managed on a case-by-case basis. We consider many variables when dispatching vending machines. Cost, trade style and ROI are all important considerations when placing these expensive machines. We have determined that adding vending does not significantly increase sales. In some cases, it may reduce sales and drives up costs.
Other states have instant ticket vending machines in their gas stations, why don’t we?
We have discovered from other states that adding vending does not significantly increase sales at convenience stores and in many instances reduces lottery sales and drives up costs.
Why don’t the $20 and $50 scratch ticket fit in the on-counter dispensers?
Due to the size of the tickets, these do not fit in the current dispenser design. The manufacture of the on-counter dispensers continues to work on a solution. We hope our on-counter dispensers will be able to accommodate these ticket sizes soon.
Is there going to be new equipment in the future to sell your product line?
We regularly review different selling methods for our products. We test different methods regularly. New equipment is generally acquired when new vendor contracts are negotiated every 5-7 years.
DELIVERIES & ORDERS
Can Spee-Dee deliver my game launch tickets and the POP together consistently?
No, these two items are packed in separate facilities making this is not an option.
Why are there so many play slips in one order?
The quantity per package is standardized across the board. The number of play slips in a package is meant to provide an average retailer approximately 8 weeks’ worth of supply. Additionally, the standardized quantity helps control production and labor cost.
Can we get half a box of ticket stock?
No. The quantity per package is standardized across the board. The number of rolls per package is meant to provide an average retailer with enough supply for several weeks. The standardized quantity helps control production and labor cost. It’s better to have a little extra to ensure that a retailer can readily produce ticket requests for their customers.
Why does my SpeeDee delivery person only take one return bag and not both that I have scheduled?
One tag, one bag. When you schedule a return (same day) only one pickup is created. All tickets scheduled in the same day should be put into one bag. If the bag is not big enough, SpeeDee will take that return in any vessel, it does not have to be in a white return bag to be accepted for pickup.
I’m completely out of ticket stock and the terminal won’t let me order any. What should I do?
Contact Customer Support ASAP and we will work with your Sales Rep to dispatch tickets stock immediately. It is important to take an inventory on your ticket stock regularly. Stock can be ordered on your terminal and arrives typically within 2 business. Do not borrow stock from other retailers under any circumstance.
When I print out my inventory on the terminal, when will the in-transit packs arrive.
Typically, within 2 business days. If packs remain in transit for an extended period of time, contact Customer Support immediately and they will look into it.
MISC. QUESTIONS
Is it legal for retailer employees to play the lottery, either on or off the clock?
It is not illegal for a retailer or their employees to play lottery. However, store policy can prohibit these actions. Ultimately, it is up to the retailer to decide.
Will returns of full packs ever be just a one barcode scan?
Inactive full packs can be scheduled as full packs with just one barcode scan. Only if a pack has been activated, will first and last ticket need to be scanned.
Is there a way to let players know where they can purchase additional games that still have top prizes remaining?
Yes, players and retailers may contact Customer Support to find selling retailers who have a specific game on hand.
Retailers continue to send players to the lottery office with a scratched-up bar code on a scratch ticket to validate. These must be mailed in.
Incorrect, if all serial numbers are legible, retailers may simply contact Customer Support for remote validation. In some cases where all necessary numbers aren’t legible, Customer Support will be able to instruct both player and retailer on the appropriate steps for redeeming by mail.
Why are the premium items we receive not made in the USA?
Our suppliers find the most economical manufacturers of items. We do not have a requirement in our bidding process that premium items need to be manufactured in the USA. Having such a requirement could make finding and purchasing these items difficult.
Why isn’t Customer Support available earlier than 8 a.m.?
Customer Support was previously open at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. The number of calls received during the 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. timeframe were very few each day. We will continue to monitor call numbers prior to 8 a.m. and adjust where necessary to align with our customer’s needs. All callers prior to 8 a.m. have the option to leave a message that will be returned as soon as we open.
Why can’t Daily 3 plays be printed on one slip? It takes way too long to print multiple tickets for players.
Daily 3 is the only Minnesota Lottery game that offers various bet types at various price points. Because each bet type is different, individual tickets are necessary. Additionally, the individual bet per ticket allows players to cash their winning tickets in at retail locations.
Why won’t the lottery office redeem tickets under $599? Many are saying it doesn’t make sense for the headquarters to not service their own product.
Since retailers earn commission on all tickets redeemed at their store, the lottery prefers retailers have a fair opportunity to earn this commission, which is why we encourage players to visit their local retailers first. If a player presents a winning ticket under $599, we will not turn them away.
Can we increase pack size in the 10’s, $20’s, $50’s? These are the better sellers and stores are constantly restocking the packs.
We have no plans at this time to increase the number of tickets in $10, $20 and $50 pack sizes.
Can we only sell lotto games?
No. We current require retailers to sell our full portfolio of games.
Why can’t I schedule a single ticket for return?
To avoid a high potential for mistakes, single tickets must be called in for scheduling. Retailers cannot amend a return, so if a pack is mistakenly scheduled as a single ticket, a call must still be made to Customer Support.
Why can’t I cancel a multistate game on the terminal?
Multi State tickets cannot be canceled. These are rules and guidelines determined by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL)
The difference between Previously cashed by “you” and by “other” message?
Previously Cashed By You means your store has already redeemed this ticket, while the message by other means another retailer. If you receive this message, it is best to contact Customer Support for further instructions. Typically, we can resolve these issues by looking up the transaction.
What does retailer mismatch mean?
Retailer Mismatch means that the pack you are attempting an action is not currently in a status assigned to your store, it may belong to a retailer, or you may have already scheduled the pack for return to Lottery.
How do I get a detailed report on what was sold on my terminal today?
You may request a detailed report on both your Lotto Sales and Redemption and or Scratch Redemptions from Customer Support during normal business hours.
How do I get credit for a misprinted/refused ticket after normal business hours?
All misprints should be called into Customer Support prior to the draw to ensure credit. If it is after business hours, a 24-Hour voicemail is available to deliver this information.
Can I still sell tickets out of a pack that’s been settled?
Yes. Settlement just means billed, it does not affect the validation status of the pack or tickets.
What should I do if a lottery player disputes a winning amount?
Immediately contact Customer Support for assistance, this protects both retailer and player.
What should I do with ripped or damaged scratch tickets, coffee spills etc.?
Tickets that are unable to be sold or scheduled for return can be mailed in for credit. Fill out a Scratch Ticket Backup Report and mail using a lottery postage paid envelope. Customer Support can be contacted for any assistance needed.
When I scan a customer’s ticket it says, “Instant validation error contact lottery”, the ticket appears to be old but there’s no expiration date listed. How would I find out the last date to claim for the customer?
Follow the prompt to contact Customer Support. Staff will be able to provide you with detailed information regarding if/when the ticket expired.
Why do scratch tickets expire?
Minnesota Statute 349A.08 Subd. 5 defines the claiming period for all lottery prizes. A prize in the state lottery must be claimed by the winner within one year of the date of the drawing at which the prize was awarded or the last day sales were authorized for a game where a prize was determined in a manner other than by means of a drawing.
If I’m going to have repair work done in the future, who should I contact to move the equipment.
First contact your lottery sales representative. They will complete a survey and submit it to IGT for equipment moving or removal. They will also determine if the new placement has the required electrical components for re-install.
When I run a customer’s play slip through it says, “invalid play slip”. Why?
First, verify that the slip is filled out properly. If it is, confirm your play slip reader does not have dust or debris preventing the machine from reading the play slip. If all else fails, the play slip may be worn so please ask the player to fill out a new play slip.