Players of Missouri Lottery games must be 18 years or older to buy or redeem tickets, which can be purchased at approximately 5,000 retailers throughout the state. Non-residents can win prizes, however all tickets must be purchased in person at an authorized lottery retailer.

Of every $1 in lottery ticket sales, 63.7 cents is returned to players in the form of prizes, while 26.3 cents is directed towards funding public education. In the period January 1986 to June 2009, more than $3.5 billion dollars has been generated by Missouri Lottery for public education.

Prizes of $600 and less can be redeemed at any Missouri Lottery retailer, at any of the four Missouri Lottery offices, located in Jefferson City, Kansas City, Springfield or St Louis, or by mailing the ticket, signed and with address and phone number on the back. Prizes $600 to $25,000 can be claimed any of the four lottery offices, or by mail - in both instances you will need to fill out a claim form to accompany the winning ticket. Be sure to keep a copy of the front and back of all documents you send. Jackpot prize winners should first contact one of the Missouri Lottery offices to arrange a meeting.

If you're lucky enough to win a jackpot prize, you have 60 days to decide whether to take the prize as a lump sum or annuity. Typically, the lump sum prize would be approximately half the amount of the announced jackpot, less taxes. If jackpot winners don't let Missouri Lottery know of their decision within the 60 days, the prize will be paid as an annuity.

Winners have 180 days after the date of the draw in which to make their prize claim. Unclaimed prize money is transferred to the Lottery Proceeds Fund to benefit public education.

Prizes are not exempt from Federal tax, and by law, for prizes more than $5,000 Missouri Lottery must withhold 30% for Federal Income taxes. Additionally, for prizes over $600, 4% State Tax is withheld.