Process for Claiming a Lottery Prize

Retailers are required to follow a specific process when validating tickets:

• Retailers can only validate tickets that have the name of the player printed or legibly signed on the back of the ticket.
• Retailers must return the corresponding validation slip for every ticket checked. The validation slip is the official record of the validation process.
• Non-winning tickets (and non-paid tickets) must also be returned to the customer. Since April 1, 2008, if a ticket is a winner and the player has accepted the prize amount from the retailer, the ticket must be torn in half by the retailer with both pieces of the ticket and the validation slip returned to the customer. If the retailer is unable to payout the prize, the winning ticket must be returned intact to the customer. To learn more about the Tear and Return policy, visit WCLC.

Prize Claim Enhancements

A number of enhancements have been implemented:

• New customer display units and new ticket terminals have been installed at every lottery retail location making it easier for customers to see whether or not they are a winner, and the amount of the prize.
• Self-service ticket checkers have also been installed to allow the customer to electronically check his or her own lottery ticket (e.g. 649, Super 7, and specially marked Scratch & Win tickets. Learn more about self checking Scratch & Win tickets.).

FAQs

I recieved an email informing me that I won. How do I collect?

Any email claiming that you have won a lottery is not real - it is a scam attempting to steal from you. Legitimate lotteries do not email winners. They require a ticket purchase and do not give prizes to random e-mail addresses, or ask winners to pay any fees.

We advise that you:

• Do not call the number provided in the email solicitation.
• Contact your local police service. They may be aware of the scam. In Canada, a police organization called the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre tracks this type of activity. You can visit their website or call 1-888-495-8501.

Learn more to protect yourself by visiting our Lottery Prize Scam information page.

I'm part of a group that likes to buy lottery tickets together. Do we need a special agreement for this?

You don’t need a special agreement to buy lottery tickets as a group, but a group agreement could help avoid potential disputes between the group. There is a free group agreement service available on the WCLC website. If your group buys tickets on a regular basis, you might want to consider a ticket subscription. For full details, click here.

I always buy lottery tickets but find it inconvenient to go to a store every week. Can I subscribe?

Yes. The WCLC offers a full subscription service for their most popular lottery games. To learn more, click here.

I want to check my own ticket. Where can I check my own numbers to check if I’m a winner?

• You are able to check your own tickets in a number of locations: in Luck Magazine, through the selection table results list, on the Western Canada Lottery Corporation website, through winning number lines: Calgary – 403-275-8101, Edmonton – 780-459-5100 or by calling WCLC Corporate Communications staff at
  1-800-665-3313.
• All locations are equipped with self-service ticket checkers allowing you to electronically check your lottery ticket. Ticket checkers have been installed at all retail locations across the province.
• 19" customer display units have been installed at every lottery retail location. The screens face the player allowing them to see if the ticket is a “winner” or a “non-winner” and the exact amount of any prize won. Ticket Terminals accompany each of the display units. The terminals play a distinctive sound whenever a winning ticket is checked signalling to the customer that their ticket is a “winner.”

Where can I claim my prize when I win on a scratch ticket or on-line ticket?

It is IMPORTANT to always print your full name, address and daytime phone number on the back of your ticket(s).

If you have questions about your prize claim, call Western Canada Lotteries at 1-800-665-3313.

Who can I contact if I have a payout dispute with a Lottery Ticket Centre location?

If you have a discrepancy with the payout amount you believe you are entitled to, please:

1. Personally check the ticket numbers to the Official Draw Results.
2. Retain the original ticket and refuse the prize from the retailer.
3. Ask the retailer for a claim form.
4. Submit the completed claim form, validation slip and the original ticket, with your name printed on the back of the ticket to:

Retain a photocopy of your Claim Form and both sides of the lottery ticket for your reference. Any problems or concerns with a Lottery Ticket Centre location or lottery tickets should be forwarded to the WCLC at 1-800-665-3313.

AGLC’s commitment to players

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission is confident in the integrity of the Alberta lottery system, but we are always looking at new ideas to help strengthen the prize claim processes and procedures for players and retailers. A number of enhancements are planned in the near future to protect players and help them play with confidence. 

More information on the enhancements is available at AGLC Enhancing the Prize Claim Procedures and WCLC Prize Claim Enhancements.