Players who buy lottery or scratch tickets in Iowa now can receive a receipt, a move designed to enhance players' security.
The receipt system is the second phase of the Iowa Lottery's enhanced player security program. The program began in March.
Receipts will be available for every instant-scratch or lottery ticket that is checked or cashed. Two receipts will be printed — one for the retailer, and one for the player.
The receipts were offered for the first time starting yesterday.
The move is the second effort in recent weeks by the lottery to combat fraud. In March, the state lottery began its "Sign it. It's yours" campaign. It requires players to sign the backs of their lottery tickets before they can be cashed with an Iowa Lottery retailer.
Lottery officials said adding receipts is designed to make sure that players are paid the prizes they are rightfully owed.
When a player wins a prize, the receipt will show the amount won, eliminating any confusion about the pay out.
"The Iowa Lottery wants to do everything it can to prevent even the slightest possibility of fraud," acting Iowa Lottery CEO Ken Brickman said in a statement. "By having the players sign the back of the ticket and having a receipt available any time a lottery or scratch ticket is checked or cashed both the player and the retailer are protected."
The security changes come after lottery officials and the state ombudsman's office agreed to work together in an investigation into the lottery's complaint process and whether retailers could be claiming customer winnings.
A preliminary investigation by Ombudsman William Angrick raised questions about one store clerk who won the lottery six times in 12 months, collecting $264,000.
Some critics have complained about the additional burdens of the new security procedures including the amount of paper that will be used, the need for pens and the number of receipts that will tossed around lottery retailers' businesses.
Lottery officials have said they will give retailers additional trash bins for the receipts as well as more pens for people to sign tickets. The lottery also has a public information campaign to acquaint customers with the changes.
The Iowa Lottery began in 1985 and has awarded more than $2.1 billion in prizes.
i don't know how i missed this the first time posted but THIS IS A GREAT IDEA! i wish all states incorporated this system - how many people lose their tickets or the wind blows it away just for joe shmoe to pick up and claim - and you had a system [family birthdays] and they insist they bought it but don't know the numbers if you hide the ticket behind your back - and it'll further ensure that some of the lottery employees aren't duping the system [i still feel some of them play, when they aren't supposed to and dupe the numbers to be played]
Being from Iowa I can tell you that its a pain in the butt.The clerks have to check if you signed the back of the ticket before they can run it through the computer.If you didn't sign it,the clerk has to find a pen so you can sign it.(not as easy as it sounds because the pens disappear pretty quick)The receipts just slow things down and who wants the extra paper,anyway?I can see going to all this trouble for a sizeable winner,but for $1,$2,$5 wins it's a giant pain.
I don't care what the critics say, this is a good idea. Or at least, a good start!
i don't know how i missed this the first time posted but THIS IS A GREAT IDEA! i wish all states incorporated this system - how many people lose their tickets or the wind blows it away just for joe shmoe to pick up and claim - and you had a system [family birthdays] and they insist they bought it but don't know the numbers if you hide the ticket behind your back - and it'll further ensure that some of the lottery employees aren't duping the system [i still feel some of them play, when they aren't supposed to and dupe the numbers to be played]
Being from Iowa I can tell you that its a pain in the butt.The clerks have to check if you signed the back of the ticket before they can run it through the computer.If you didn't sign it,the clerk has to find a pen so you can sign it.(not as easy as it sounds because the pens disappear pretty quick)The receipts just slow things down and who wants the extra paper,anyway?I can see going to all this trouble for a sizeable winner,but for $1,$2,$5 wins it's a giant pain.