Yes, scratch-off tickets expire. Every state lottery sets a deadline for claiming prizes, and once it passes, your winning ticket is worthless — no exceptions, no appeals, regardless of the prize amount.
Claim periods range from 60 days to 1 full year depending on your state. The clock typically starts when the game officially ends (not when you bought or scratched the ticket), which means a ticket you bought months ago might still have plenty of time — or might already be expiring.
Below is the complete state-by-state guide to scratch-off expiration deadlines, how the clock works, and what happens to unclaimed prizes.
Last updated: June 2026 · Compiled from official state lottery commission websites
Scratch-Off Expiration by State: Complete Table
This table shows how long you have to claim a winning scratch-off ticket in each state after the game officially ends. States are grouped by claim period length.
60–90 Day Claim Period (Shortest Deadlines)
| State | Scratch-Off Claim Period | Clock Starts | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 60 days | After game end date | flalottery.com |
| Georgia | 90 days | After game end date | galottery.com |
| Iowa | 90 days | After announced end of game | ialottery.com |
| New Mexico | 90 days | After game end date | nmlottery.com |
| South Dakota | 90 days | After game end date | lottery.sd.gov |
⚠️ If you play in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, New Mexico, or South Dakota — check your tickets immediately. These states have the shortest claim windows in the country. A Florida scratch-off gives you just 60 days after the game closes.
180 Day Claim Period (Most Common)
| State | Scratch-Off Claim Period | Clock Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 180 days | After game end date |
| Arkansas | 180 days | After game end date |
| California | 180 days | After game end date |
| Colorado | 180 days | After game end date |
| Connecticut | 180 days | After game end date |
| Idaho | 180 days | After game end date |
| Indiana | 180 days | After game end date |
| Kentucky | 180 days | After game end date |
| Louisiana | 180 days | After game end date |
| Maryland | 182 days | After game end date |
| Mississippi | 180 days | After game end date |
| Missouri | 180 days | After game end date |
| Nebraska | 180 days | After game end date |
| North Carolina | 180 days | After game end date (90 days after last day to sell) |
| Ohio | 180 days | After game end date |
| Oklahoma | 180 days | After game end date |
| South Carolina | 180 days | After game end date |
| Tennessee | 180 days | After game end date |
| Texas | 180 days | After game close date |
| Virginia | 180 days | After game end date |
| Washington | 180 days | After game end date |
| West Virginia | 180 days | After game end date |
| Wisconsin | 180 days | After game end date |
1 Year (365 Day) Claim Period (Longest Deadlines)
| State | Scratch-Off Claim Period | Clock Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 1 year | After game end date |
| Illinois | 1 year | After game end date |
| Kansas | 1 year | After game end date |
| Maine | 1 year | After game end date |
| Massachusetts | 1 year | After game end date |
| Michigan | 1 year | After game end date |
| Minnesota | 1 year | After game end date |
| New Hampshire | 1 year | After game end date |
| New Jersey | 1 year | After game end date |
| New York | 1 year | After game end date |
| Oregon | 1 year | After game end date |
| Pennsylvania | 1 year | After game end date |
| Rhode Island | 1 year | After game end date |
| Vermont | 1 year | After game end date |
Note: Washington D.C. follows a 180-day claim period. Some states not listed here may have different rules — always check your specific state lottery’s official website.
How the Expiration Clock Works for Scratch-Offs
This is where most people get confused. The expiration clock for scratch-off tickets does NOT start when you:
- ❌ Buy the ticket
- ❌ Scratch the ticket
- ❌ Discover you’ve won
The clock starts when the game officially ends — meaning the state lottery commission announces that the game is being retired and sets an end-of-sale date. This is important because:
- A ticket you bought today could be valid for years. If the game doesn’t end for another 2 years, and your state gives 180 days after that, you technically have 2+ years to claim.
- A ticket you just found in a drawer might already be expired. If the game ended 7 months ago and your state gives 180 days, you’re too late.
How to Check If Your Ticket Is Still Valid
- Look at the back of the ticket — Many states print the game end date or a “claim by” date directly on the ticket
- Check your state lottery’s website — Look for “Games Ending” or “Expired Games” sections
- Use the lottery app — Most state lottery apps will tell you if a ticket is still valid when you scan it
- Call the lottery hotline — If you’re unsure, call before the deadline passes
What Happens to Unclaimed Scratch-Off Prizes?
When a winning scratch-off ticket expires unclaimed, the prize money doesn’t disappear — but you’ll never see it. Where it goes depends on your state:
| Destination | States |
|---|---|
| Education funds | Texas (Foundation School Fund), California, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio |
| General state revenue | Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Washington, Colorado |
| Back into prize pools | Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania |
| Local government aid | Minnesota |
The amounts are staggering. States collectively report billions of dollars in unclaimed lottery prizes every year. In 2024 alone, Texas reported over $200 million in unclaimed prizes, and California reported over $100 million.
5 Common Mistakes That Lead to Expired Tickets
1. Assuming the Clock Starts When You Buy
The most common misconception. Your claim window doesn’t start until the game officially ends — which could be months or years after purchase. But once it ends, the countdown is strict.
2. Not Checking “Ending Soon” Games
If you buy a scratch-off that’s already been on shelves for a while, it might be approaching its end date. Check the “Ending Soon” section on your state lottery’s website — or use our state pages which show games approaching their end dates.
3. Forgetting About Tickets in a Drawer
Found an old scratch-off? Don’t assume it’s expired. Check the game’s status — if the game hasn’t officially ended yet, your ticket is still valid regardless of how old it is. But if the game ended months ago, you might be running out of time.
4. Relying on the Store Clerk
Some players hand tickets to clerks without checking themselves. If a clerk tells you a ticket is “expired” or “not a winner,” verify independently using a self-service scanner or the lottery app. Mistakes (and fraud) happen.
5. Not Knowing Your State’s Deadline
A player in Florida has just 60 days. A player in New York has a full year. If you don’t know your state’s deadline, you can’t protect yourself. Bookmark this page or check the table above.
How to Never Miss a Claim Deadline
- Check tickets immediately. Don’t let them pile up. Scan or scratch them the same day you buy them.
- Set calendar reminders. If you know a game is ending, set a reminder 30 days before the claim deadline.
- Use the lottery app. Most state lottery apps let you scan tickets and will warn you about approaching deadlines.
- Sign your tickets. If you lose an unsigned winning ticket, anyone who finds it can claim it. Sign the back immediately.
- Photograph high-value tickets. Take a photo of both sides as proof of ownership, then store the physical ticket safely.
- Check “Games Ending” lists. State lottery websites publish lists of games approaching their end dates. If you have tickets from those games, check them now.
Can You Still Buy Expired Scratch-Off Games?
Here’s something many players don’t realize: a game can still be on store shelves after its top prizes are gone, and even after the game has officially “ended” in terms of new ticket distribution.
Retailers may still have remaining inventory of a game that the lottery has announced is ending. In most states, tickets can still be sold until the retailer’s stock runs out, even after the lottery stops distributing new packs. This creates a window where you might buy a ticket from a game that’s about to close — giving you a shorter effective claim period than you’d expect.
This is another reason to check our state pages — we flag games that are ending soon so you know what you’re buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do scratch-off tickets expire if you don’t scratch them?
Yes. The expiration is based on the game’s end date, not whether you’ve scratched the ticket. An unscratched winning ticket that passes the claim deadline is just as worthless as a scratched one. The lottery has no way to know whether you’ve played it — the deadline applies regardless.
Can I claim an expired scratch-off ticket?
No. Once the claim period passes, the prize is permanently forfeited. No state offers a general exception, appeal process, or hardship waiver for late claims. The only known exception is for active-duty military members in certain states who are deployed during the claim window.
How do I know if my scratch-off game has ended?
Check your state lottery’s website for “Games Ending” or “Closed Games” lists. Many states also post notices at retail locations and send alerts through their mobile apps. The game end date is often printed on the back of the ticket itself.
Do all states have the same expiration rules?
No. Claim periods range from 60 days (Florida) to 1 year (New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and others). See the complete table above for your state’s specific deadline.
What if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?
Some states extend the deadline to the next business day, but not all do. If your deadline is approaching, contact your state lottery’s claim center to confirm. Don’t assume you’ll get an extension.
Can I mail in a claim close to the deadline?
Most states accept the postmark date as the filing date. However, automated postmarks don’t always match the day you mailed it. For safety: get a hand-stamped postmark at the post office counter, or use certified mail. Better yet, don’t wait until the last minute.
Do scratch-off tickets expire in Texas?
Yes. Texas scratch-off tickets expire 180 days after the game’s official close date. Check the Texas scratch-off page for games approaching their end dates.
Do scratch-off tickets expire in California?
Yes. California Scratchers must be claimed within 180 days of the game’s official end date. Check the California scratch-off page for current game status.
Do scratch-off tickets expire in Florida?
Yes — and Florida has one of the shortest deadlines at just 60 days after the game ends. Check the Florida scratch-off page for games ending soon.
Related: Not sure which tickets are worth buying in the first place? See our guide on which scratch-off tickets win the most — it explains how to evaluate games by expected value rather than just odds.
The Bottom Line
Every scratch-off ticket has an expiration date. The claim window ranges from 60 days to 1 year depending on your state, and the clock starts when the game officially ends — not when you buy or scratch the ticket.
The single best thing you can do: check your tickets promptly. Don’t let them pile up in a drawer. Use your state lottery’s app or a self-service scanner to verify tickets regularly. And if you have old tickets you haven’t checked, do it today — they might still be valid, or they might be about to expire.
For real-time data on which games are ending soon, active games with the best value, and remaining prizes in your state, visit our state-by-state scratch-off rankings — updated daily from official lottery data.
Information compiled from official state lottery commission websites. Claim periods are subject to change — always verify with your state lottery’s official website before relying on any deadline. For current game status and ending dates, see our state pages.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. We make every effort to keep this data accurate, but state lottery rules can change. Always verify claim deadlines with your official state lottery. Please play responsibly — if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.