Coronavirus Lottery Changes for March 27
Friday March 27th 2020State lotteries are closing offices and making other changes to the way they operate to deal with the threat of coronavirus. Get the latest updates for Friday, March 27 on lotteries' COVID-19 measures.
All lottery drawings are still taking place as usual, including state lottery games and multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions.
To avoid leaving home, you can play online. Bonus: prizes will be automatically deposited into your account.
Powerball changes starting jackpot
Powerball has announced a change to the game's starting jackpot. Starting after the next jackpot win, the new minimum jackpot will be $20 million rather than $40 million, its prior level. The change will only affect winners who opt to receive their payout as an annuity.
There is also a new $2 million minimum rollover increase between drawings; it was previously $10 million. If ticket sales are high, the rollover may be larger.
Powerball said the adjustments are needed because so many players are under stay-at-home orders and retailers have changed their hours.
Coronavirus state lottery updates
Below are the most recent state lotteries to make coronavirus-related changes to operations.
Idaho
Gov. Brad Little has announced a stay-at-home order and the Lottery's Boise office is closed as of March 26. Prizes may be claimed through the mail and will be paid weekly. Retailers may also cash tickets below $600.
Boise residents have the option to leave an envelope with their signed ticket and claim form in the lottery's secure drop box at 1199 Shoreline Lane.
The lottery may extend the claim period so prizes set to expire soon will be honored after the order is lifted.
Maine
Gov. Janet Mills ordered nonessential businesses to close effective March 26, and the Lottery lobby is closed to the public. Retailers can pay prizes under $600 at their discretion; winners of $600 or more should redeem by mailing the required documents to the lottery. If you have questions, please email MaineLottery@Maine.gov.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz announced a stay-at-home order in effect from Friday, March 27 at 11:59pm through April 10. Nonessential businesses will close, and residents should remain at home as much as possible.
The Lottery has closed its regional offices and most staff are working from home. The Lottery recommends that players mail in winning tickets. However, Lottery headquarters in Roseville is still open for prize claims over $600 only.
Winners are able to claim prizes up to $50,000 by mail. Retailers may also be able to cash tickets below $600. Prizes above $50,000 will need to be claimed at lottery headquarters.
Montana
Gov. Steve Bullock has issued a stay-at-home order that goes into effect Saturday, March 28. Lottery headquarters in Helena is currently open with social distancing in place, although winners should claim by mail if possible.
New Hampshire
Gov. Chris Sununu has announced a stay-at-home order effective Friday, March 27 through May 4. All prizes may be claimed by mail, or cashed at a retailer if under $600.
Winners of $600 or more can claim at the lottery's sales office with the appropriate documents. The office is no longer selling tickets. The lottery will issue a receipt and mail a prize check within 48 hours.
Oklahoma
Gov. Kevin Stitt has ordered all nonessential businesses in counties with known COVID-19 cases to close from March 25 until April 14. The Lottery's Oklahoma City claim center is closed until further notice. Winners of all prize amounts may claim by mail, and tickets worth $600 or less may be claimed at a retailer.
To discuss other claim options, please contact the Claims Office at 405-522-7700 or the Security Office at 405-522-7765.
West Virginia
Gov. Jim Justice issued a stay-at-home order and shut down nonessential businesses from March 24. The Lottery's Charleston and Weirton offices are closed to the public. Prize claims may be mailed in.
The lottery has extended the claim deadline and will pay all prizes that are claimed within 30 days after the state of emergency order is lifted.
Wyoming
Gov. Mark Gordon has urged residents to stay at home, but has not issued an order. The lottery's offices are closed through March 31. Players may submit tickets to the lottery by mail, or claim amounts of less than $600 at a retailer.