FANTASY 5 FAQ

Answers to your questions about Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks.
Code entry limitations effective October 1, 2012

Questions about the Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks Promotion

What is the Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks Draw?

This draw provides the Fantasy 5 player with a second chance at winning thousands of dollars each week. Players receive one entry code for EVERY five Fantasy 5 plays on a single ticket. Each code is good for one entry into a weekly drawing for twelve $1,000 prizes and three $10,000 prizes.

When are the weekly Draws?

Draws are conducted within three business days of the entry deadline. Entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. every Saturday.

Will alternate winning codes be chosen?

Five alternate codes are chosen and used only if a selected entry code is not valid.

Is there a limit to the number of entry codes I can get?

No. You will receive one code for every $5 of Fantasy 5 you purchase on a single ticket with a maximum of 10 codes for each ticket. Each code is good for only one Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks draw. Please be aware of the code submission limitation policy. See other Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks FAQs for more information on this policy.

Will I receive an entry code if I purchased Fantasy 5 draws with the Advance Play® feature?

Yes. Entry codes from Advance Play® are valid. However, the draws must occur within the promotion dates.

Questions about winners

How will I know if I’m a winner?

Winners will be notified by email to login to the California Lottery website for 'important information'. Once logged in a link to the claim form needed to claim the prize will be available. Also, winning entries will be flagged in the player's MY ACCOUNT page under "Outstanding Prizes".

How will I know how much I’ve won?

Following entry code validation, winners' names and hometowns are posted on the Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks “Results and Winners” page. Winning entries and prize amounts will be posted on the Winners List by Friday at 5p.m. each week for the previous draw.

What are my chances of winning a prize?

The odds of winning vary based on the total number of entries that are received for a drawing, the total number of prizes awarded for each draw and the total number of entries an individual has submitted.

Questions about the prize

If I am selected as a winner, what do I need to do in order to claim my prize?

Winners will be notified by email and that email will include a link to the claim form needed to claim the prize. You will be asked to download, complete and mail the claim form to the following address:
California Lottery
Attn: Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks

P.O. Box 1317

Sacramento, CA. 95812-1317

How long will it take for me to receive my prize once I have been selected?

Please allow 8 weeks for receipt of your prize. Contact our Customer Services Department toll-free at 1-800-LOTTERY, Monday through Friday 8a.m.-5p.m. Pacific Time if your contact information changes, or if you have any questions.

Are taxes taken out of the prize money?

All prize payments are subject to Federal tax withholding and other offsets as required by law. However, there are no California state/local taxes.

Questions about entry

What if I have trouble inputting my codes?

If you receive a message stating a code is invalid, please double check the code and re-enter. If you believe a valid code is not being accepted, please use the “Contact Us” button on the page bottom of the website and send a message explaining the situation.

Can I enter a draw more than once?

YES. You may enter a draw as many times as you wish, however, be aware of the code submission limitation policy and each entry requires a new entry code.

Can I win more than once per draw?

No. For draws that have multiple prizes and prize levels, once selected as a winner for a specific prize, you cannot win another prize in that draw.

What happens if I submit my code after the deadline for the drawing?

Any codes submitted after the entry deadline, 11:59 p.m. every Saturday, will automatically be entered into the draw for the following week. Entries are only good for one weekly draw.

How can I check to see what codes I have entered?

Each time you submit a code, a record of your successful entry appears in the "2nd Chance" area of your MY ACCOUNT page.
All of your entries appear on that page for your information and reference, so you can check the list against the codes you have. If the entry record is there, you can be assured that it is in the system.

May I throw away my entry codes after I have entered them into a drawing?

You, the player, are responsible to retain the codes that you have entered and keep them safe. If there is ever a question regarding one of your codes, it is better to have the physical codes in your possession. We recommend you keep possession until the applicable 2nd Chance draw has concluded.

Can I mail in my non-winning tickets to enter into the drawings?

No. Mail-in entries are not accepted for this promotion.

When does the code submission limitation policy go into effect?

The policy starts October 1, 2012.

Why is the Lottery setting limits on 2nd Chance submissions?

We see this as leveling the playing field. Every day we do what we can to ensure the integrity of all our games, including 2^nd Chance. But, some players have an unfair advantage when they enter thousands of codes on a variety of games. That means they have the upper hand and that’s unfair to everybody else. The high number of tickets entered into our 2^nd Chance Program could also be an indication of problem gambling. As good corporate citizens, we have an innate responsibility to reach out to our valued players who may have a gambling problem and capping the number of entries is a step in the right direction. We should also remind anybody who thinks they have a gambling problem, or who knows somebody with a gambling problem to call our Problem Gambling hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER.

How will the code submission limitation policy be enforced?

The Lottery will access accounts when draws are set to happen and make sure that the winners in each draw have not exceeded 1,000 total submissions in any calendar month. If the selected winner has entered more than 1,000 codes in any month after October 1, 2012, that person and their entries will be disqualified and an alternate will be selected.

If I enter a code that’s eligible for three different draws, does that count as three of my 1,000 monthly entries?

No. The Lottery will only count total ticket codes entered for the month. So, if you enter a code that’s eligible for an End of Game AND a Pool Draw, that only counts as one of your 1,000 monthly submissions.

When you say 1,000 limit, is that per game? Can I enter 1,000 codes for Fantasy 5 Bonus Bucks and 1,000 Scratchers codes?

No. The limit applies to a combined total of all entries – whether it be all Fantasy 5, all Scratchers or a combination of both. Every code you enter counts toward your monthly limit of 1,000.

How will I know how many ticket codes I’ve already entered?

Your Replay account gives you the option of seeing how many codes you’ve entered each day, so you’ll be able to know when you’re getting close to the limit and stop entering codes so you remain eligible for all draws. There will be no reminder and the system will not stop you from entering more than 1,000 codes, so it’s important that you track how many codes you’ve entered to prevent going over the limit and being disqualified.

What if I play as part of a group or am a Jackpot Captain?

The same limits apply for groups. The group will still only be able to input 1,000 ticket codes per month.

What if I entered more than 1,000 codes in September, 2012 for the next End of Game and Pool draws?

You will not be disqualified for entering more than 1,000 codes in any month prior to October, 2012 because the new policy would not have been in effect.