Players of Texas Lottery games must be 18 years or older to buy or redeem tickets, which can be purchased at almost 16,000 retailers throughout the state.

From 1992 to 2010, the Texas Lottery has generated over $17 billion for the state. In the 2009 fiscal year, 62% of ticket sales was returned to players in the form of prizes, and 27% was contributed to the chosen beneficiary of the state, the Foundation School Fund, which supports public education.

Prizes of $599 and less can be redeemed at any Texas Lottery retailer, at the lottery headquarters in Austin, or by mail. Note that retailers are "encouraged to pay prizes", they are not required to keep cash on hand to pay all tickets. If claiming by mail your winning ticket will need to be accompanied by a claim form, and the back of the ticket needs to be signed. Be sure to keep a copy of the front and back of all documents you send, and if it's a larger cash prize, it's advisable to send your claim by certified or registered mail.

Prizes of $1 to $1 million can be claimed at the lottery headquarters, or one of the Texas Lottery Claim Centers, located in Abilene, Amarillo, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, McAllen, Odessa, San Antonio, Tyler and Victoria. Prizes of more than $1 million must be claimed in person at the Texas Lottery Commission Headquarters in Austin./

It is advisable as soon as possible after purchasing your ticket you should sign the back of the ticket, otherwise anyone in possession of a winning ticket may file a claim.

When checking to see if you have a winning ticket, note that the lottery machine will play one of 4 tones. If it's "I'm In The Money", you've won a prize under $600. If it's a bigger prize a different tune plays. The other two tones are sound rather than tunes, and mean either a non-winning ticket or that the ticket cannot be validated.

Winners have 180 days after the date of the draw in which to make their prize claim.

Prizes are subject to Federal withholding tax, for US citizens and non-US citizens.