Politics
Politics

Top 5 reasons you could win the Georgia lottery — but never see a dime

Top 5 reasons you could be denied Georgia lottery winnings Trying to cash a ticket for someone else. Claiming multiple winning games in a short period of time. Failing to prove where or when you bought your winning ticket. Claiming to have purchased a winning ticket before it was delivered to the store. Failing to disclose a relationship with a store owner where tickets are sold.
By
Dec 20, 2017
ExploreThink you won the Georgia lottery?

Check the fine print. The lottery reserves the right to deny prizes based on a review of the ticket purchase, and since 2014 it's done that 270 times for winners of scratch-off games of a $1,000 or more.

Here are the top five reasons a winning ticket holder could be denied scratch-off prize money:

1. Trying to cash a ticket for someone else.

2. Claiming multiple winning games in a short period of time.

3. Failing to prove where or when you bought your winning ticket.

4. Claiming to have purchased a winning ticket before it was delivered to the store.

5. Failing to disclose a relationship with a store owner where tickets are sold.

Read how the lottery makes decisions to withhold prizes, and meet some Georgia winners who have been denied big payouts on myAJC.com.

About the Author

Dan Klepal is editor of the local government team, supervising nine reporters covering county and municipal governments and metro Atlanta. Klepal came to the AJC in 2012, after a long career covering city halls in Cincinnati and Louisville, Ky. He has covered Gwinnett and Cobb counties before spending three years on the investigative team.

Follow Dan Klepal on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Georgia State Election Board rule on paper ballots fails in tie vote

The State Election Board on Wednesday failed to pass a rule that would establish qualifying circumstances under which Georgia's touchscreen voting system could be eliminated.

Who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress?

Now that U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her plans to resign, attention turns to who might replace her in Georgia's 14th Congressional District.

Firebrand state senator running for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat

State Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, announced plans to seek the 14th District seat, although it wasn't clear whether he will run in a special election or in November.

The Latest

(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Georgia State Election Board rule on paper ballots fails in tie vote

Retired lawmaker, dentist face off in Georgia Senate special election runoff

OPINION

AI is coming for your kids and votes. Georgia should act now.

Featured

Democrat Eric Gisler celebrated his Tuesday election victory at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (AP)

Credit: AP

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

How Georgia Democrats pulled off a special election stunner

Democrat Eric Gisler won in a district designed to favor Republicans. Now, GOP leaders are sounding the alarm ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Developer scales back UGA President’s House hotel plan after opposition

A developer has scaled back his proposed hotel on the site of the University of Georgia's historic 'President's House' after Athens residents opposed construction.

Newton man’s pacemaker helped solve his murder. His killer gets life in prison.

Melvin Cooksey’s pacemaker led authorities to his remains and ultimately his killer, caregiver Danetta Knoblauch. She faces sentencing after her murder conviction.