Ohio Admin. Code 3770:1-9-250 - Game number two hundred fifty
(A) Title and term. Game number two hundred
fifty, the Ohio-adopted version of "Mega Millions," shall be conducted at such
times and for such periods as the Ohio lottery commission may determine. For
the purpose of this rule, "sales cycle" shall mean any such period beginning on
the date when ticket sales are commenced and continuing through the date
established by the Ohio lottery commission executive director as the date on
which sales agents are to make their final settlement with respect to such
period.
(B) General design.
(1) "Mega Millions" is a statewide joint
lottery game that exists based on an agreement between all participating party
lotteries.
(2) As used in this
rule, "Mega Millions" shall hereinafter be referred to as "game number two
hundred fifty" as it applies to statewide ticket sales in Ohio conducted by the
Ohio lottery commission.
(3) As
used in this rule, "party lotteries" shall mean the member lotteries
established and operated pursuant to the laws of the jurisdictions
participating in "Mega Millions" and any licensees authorized to sell Mega
Millions.
(a) Game number two hundred fifty
shall not be amended when one or more lottery is added or removed from
participating, unless the addition or removal of such party lottery shall
substantively change the game matrix, the play style or the method of prize
payments in this game.
(4) As used in this rule, "directors" shall
mean the chief officers of the member party lotteries or any other persons to
whom the directors' authority is lawfully delegated.
(5) As used in this rule, "cash grand prize"
shall mean the cash value of the grand prize jackpot paid in a lump sum as
determined by the directors or their designees as a
result of a prize winner choosing the cash option. The cash grand
prize shall be an amount less than the annuity grand prize.
(6) As used in this rule, "annuity grand
prize" shall mean the annuity value of a grand prize jackpot based on the
investment by the Ohio lottery commission of the cash grand prize amount to
fund an annual installment payment stream over twenty-six years
as determined by the directors or their
designees.
(7) As used in
this rule, "Ohio lottery" shall mean the Ohio lottery commission.
(8) As used in this rule, "Ohio director"
shall mean the executive director of the Ohio lottery commission.
(9) As used in this rule, game number two
hundred fifty "panel or play area" shall mean the area of an official "Mega
Millions" ticket identified by the following two fields of play: one field of
five numbers consisting of one or two digits that were selected by the player
or the on-line gaming system computer, and a second field of one number
consisting of one or two digits selected by the player or the on-line gaming
system computer. Up to ten such panels or play areas may appear on any one
ticket in game number two hundred fifty. The director may change the number of
panels or play areas appearing on any one ticket in game number two hundred
fifty. Each panel shall constitute a separate
wager.
(10) Each ticket in
game number two hundred fifty shall be imprinted with one set of five unique
numbers from a set of numbers, one through fifty-six inclusively ("field one"),
and one unique number from a second set of numbers, one through forty-six,
inclusively ("field two"), as determined by the choice of the ticket purchaser
or the auto pick feature of the on-line computer system, and recorded on the
ticket at the time of purchase. Players may use a bet card to have the auto
pick feature select their numbers in either field one, field two or both
fields. Players may also use a bet card to manually select their numbers in
either field one, field two or both fields. (Bet cards are available at no cost
to the player and shall have no pecuniary or prize value, nor shall they
constitute evidence of purchase or number selections). When a player orally
places a "Mega Millions" wager, the player must either manually select numbers
from both fields or request usage of the auto pick feature to select numbers
from both fields. A ticket may include one or more
panels as described in paragraph (B)(9) of this rule.
(11) As used in this rule, game number two
hundred fifty winning numbers shall be randomly selected during each official
"Mega Millions" drawing, and shall consist of five numbers selected from a
field of numbers one through fifty-six, inclusively, and one number selected
from a second field of numbers one through forty-six, inclusively. Holders of
valid winning tickets for a given drawing bearing the numbers drawn in that
drawing, in whole or in part, shall be entitled to a prize award in accordance
with the applicable paragraph(s) of this rule. The prize awarded to holders of winning tickets may be
dependent upon whether a player has purchased the Megaplier feature.
(12) Tickets purchased in game
number two hundred fifty are automatically deemed by the on-line gaming system
to reflect payment of the grand prize jackpot in twenty-six annual
installments. As set forth at paragraph (J)(3) of this rule, at the time of
claim, any grand prize jackpot prize winner(s) who purchased their game number
two hundred fifty ticket(s) from an authorized Ohio lottery sales agent shall
have sixty calendar days from the date of the presentation for payment of their
valid claim to the Ohio lottery commission, to opt for a cash grand prize known
as the "cash option." All other prizes, other than the grand prize in game
number two hundred fifty, shall be paid out in a lump sum.
(C) Price of tickets. The price of
a wager for the game as described in paragraphs (B) to (D) of this rule issued
by the Ohio lottery commission in game number two hundred fifty shall be one
dollar. The player may purchase up to the number of wagers per ticket, or
multiples thereof, as designated by the director if a multi-draw wager is
requested at the player's discretion in accordance with the number of game
panels and inclusive drawings. The cost of every one
dollar wager will be increased by one dollar if the player purchases the
Megaplier feature.
(D)
Structure, nature and value of prize awards. Based upon the numbers drawn in
each regular drawing for game number two hundred fifty, prizes shall be awarded
to holders of valid tickets for that drawing as follows:
(17)
(16)
Subject to the laws and regulations governing
each party lottery, the number of prize categories and the allocation of the
prize fund among the prize categories may be changed at the discretion of the
directors. Such change shall be announced by public notice.
(1) For each ticket bearing a selection which
matches none of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one
number drawn for field two, the player shall be entitled to a regular prize
award of two dollars;
(2) For each
ticket bearing a selection which matches one of the five numbers drawn for
field one, and matching the one number drawn for field two, the player shall be
entitled to a regular prize award of three dollars;
(3) For each ticket bearing a selection which
matches three of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number
drawn for field two, the player shall be entitled to a regular prize award of
seven dollars;
(4) For each ticket
bearing a selection which matches two of the five numbers drawn for field one,
and matching the one number drawn for field two, the player shall be entitled
to a regular prize award of ten dollars;
(5) For each ticket bearing a selection which
matches three of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one
number drawn for field two, the player shall be entitled to a regular prize
award of one hundred fifty dollars.
(6) For each ticket bearing a selection which
matches four of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number
drawn for field two, the player shall be entitled to a regular prize award of
one hundred fifty dollars.
(7) For
each ticket bearing a selection which matches four of the five numbers drawn
for field one, and matching the one number drawn for field two, the player
shall be entitled to a regular prize award of ten thousand dollars.
(8) For each ticket bearing a selection which
matches all five of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching
number drawn for field two, the player shall be entitled to a regular prize
award of two hundred fifty thousand dollars.
(9) For each ticket bearing a selection which
matches all five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number drawn
for field two, the player shall win the grand prize jackpot award which shall
be divided equally among the winning selections if there is more than one
winning selection. Except as otherwise designated by the directors or their
designees, the prize pool to be paid shall be equal to the amount designated by
the directors, following the drawing, as the cash grand prize jackpot amount
rather than an annuity grand prize jackpot amount. The directors or their
designees may advertise estimated cash grand prize or annuity grand prize
jackpot amounts for each drawing. Except as otherwise determined by the
directors or their designees, advertised cash or annuity grand prize jackpot
amounts are not guaranteed amounts. Except as otherwise
determined by the directors or their designees, the
The cash grand prize jackpot amount
designated by the directors or their designees following a drawing shall be the
basis for determining the amount to be awarded for each valid winning ticket
matching all five of the five winning numbers drawn for field one and one
winning number drawn for field two. Advertised cash or annuity grand prize
jackpot amounts may be forecasted for each drawing by the directors or their
designees based upon expected sales, but, unless the directors or their
designees have determined that such advertised amounts are guaranteed amounts,
any such amounts forecasted for purposes of advertisement are not guaranteed
amounts.
In any event, the directors or their designees shall have discretion to change the prizes and percentages which represent the prize pools in each of the categories referred to in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(9) of this rule.
(10) The minimum
total grand prize jackpot amount in any grand prize jackpot for which at least
one ticket bears a winning selection which matches five of the five numbers
drawn for field one, and matches one number drawn for field two, as validated
by the on-line computer system, shall be an amount designated by the directors
or their designees, and shall be divided equally among the holders of the
winning tickets if there is more than one winning ticket.
If the grand prize jackpot amount that is divided by the number of prize winners matching five winning numbers for field one and one winning number for field two is less than one million dollars, each grand prize jackpot winner shall be paid in a single cash payment in an amount equal to the cash option grand prize divided equally by the number of grand prize jackpot prize winners.
The directors may set the grand prize jackpot at levels higher than the minimum amount in accordance with paragraph (D)(9) of this rule.
(11) Any amounts remaining
in the prize pools described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule after
any given drawing, due to residual amounts after prize disbursements, shall be
retained by the party lotteries.
(12) When there are no winning tickets issued
for the prize pool described in paragraph (D)(9) of this rule, the directors
shall carry the prize pool amount forward into the grand prize jackpot for the
next consecutive drawing.
(13)
When there are no winning tickets issued for the prize pool described in
paragraph (D)(9) of this rule, the grand prize jackpot prize amount shall roll
pari-mutuelly based on sales as set by the directors, however, the directors
may establish a grand prize jackpot prize amount higher than that amount.
(14)
As
based on pool sales, should
If the total
prize liability
liabilities for the prize levels described in
paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule exceeds the liability cap agreed upon
by the directors, then that liability cap may be enforced for the payment of
the prize awards set forth in paragraphs (D)(5) to (D)(8) of this rule. In the
event the liability cap is exceeded, then the prizes set forth in paragraphs
(D)(5) to (D)(8) of this rule may
shall be paid on a pari-mutuel
basis, or in another manner as determined by the
director, rather than fixed prize basis, provided, however, that in no
event shall the pari-mutuel prizes or other prizes
awarded be greater than the applicable fixed prizes.
In the event that the liability cap is exceeded and
prizes are paid on a pari-mutual basis, or in another manner as determined by
the director, the
The amounts
to be used for
allocation of such pari-mutuel prizes, or other prizes
awarded, for each prize level shall be determined by the director.
shall be the liability cap less the amount paid for
the grand prize jackpot and any of the four lowest tiered prizes as set forth
in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(4) of this rule. The
If the liability cap is exceeded for a particular
drawing, the Ohio director shall make the amount of the liability cap
publicly available to
the public via the Ohio lottery website and any other
by means that the Ohio director deems
appropriate. The amount of the liability cap will
not be available until all sales have been reported by the party
lotteries.
For purposes of prize calculation
with respect to any game number two hundred fifty pari-mutuel prize, the
calculation shall be rounded down so that prizes shall be paid in multiples of
one dollar.
(15) In a single
game number two hundred fifty drawing, a claimant may win in only one prize
category per wager as a result of possessing winning numbers selected in either
one or both fields of play, and shall be entitled only to the highest prize
level won.
(16) For purposes of prize
calculation with respect to any game number two hundred fifty pari-mutuel
prize, the calculation shall be rounded down so that prizes shall be paid in
multiples of one dollar.
(E) In addition to the game
described in paragraphs (B) to (D) of this rule, a player shall have an option
to play "The MegaplierKicker." If a player
selects the
The
Megaplier feature, the words "Megaplier Yes" will be
printed on the player's ticket. If a player does not select the Megaplier
feature, the words "Megaplier No" will be printed on the player's
ticket.Kicker is available only to "Mega
Millions" players in Ohio, featuring a single six-digit computer-generated
number from 000000 to 999999 printed on a "Mega Millions" ticket. If a player
elects "The Kicker" option, the words "Kicker Yes" will be printed on the
player's ticket. If a player does not elect "The Kicker" option, the words "No
Kicker" will be printed on the player's ticket. "The Kicker" number will be
printed on the player's ticket if it is elected or not. However, the player may
only win "The Kicker" if it is elected and the ticket reflects the "Kicker Yes"
message.
(1) The cost of
every one dollar Mega Millions wager will be increased
by one dollar if the player purchases
playing "The MegaplierKicker"
feature.
is an extra
dollar, in addition to placing at least a one dollar "Mega Millions"
bet.
(2)
In connection with the Megaplier feature, if said
feature is an available feature, for purposes of the prize levels set forth in
paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(7) of this rule, a drawing will occur prior to each
Mega Millions drawing to select, unless otherwise approved by the director, a
multiplier number from one of the following twenty-one numbers: two, two,
three, three, three, three, three, three, three, four, four, four, four, four,
four, four, four, four, four, four, and four. As determined by the director,
multiplier numbers other than two, three or four including but not limited to
numbers higher than four may be used for promotions. In the event of a winning
ticket, the multiplier number selected will only apply to the prize levels set
forth in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(7) of this rule. The multiplier number
selected is not applied to or does not impact the prize award set forth in
paragraph (D)(8) of this rule. In the event of a winning ticket, as set forth
in paragraph (E)(2)(h) of this rule, purchase of the Megaplier feature will
increase the regular prize award set forth in paragraph (D)(8) of this rule.
Purchase of the Megaplier feature will not multiply, increase or impact the
grand prize jackpot award set forth in paragraph (D)(9) of this rule. A player
who chooses the Megaplier feature, shall win the prize awards set forth below
which shall be in lieu of the prize awards set forth in paragraphs (D)(1) to
(D)(8) of this rule, not in addition to the prize awards set forth
therein.
AA player shall win a prize award if
two, three, four, five or six digits on a player's ticket match in exact order
"The Kicker" number drawn, and any such number shall be called a winning
"Kicker" number. All "The Kicker" prizes shall be paid out in a lump sum. Any
winning number of two, three, four, five or six digits shall match in exact
order, starting with the first two digits and moving from left to right.
Winning numbers will correspond to the letters in the word "Kicker" and prizes
shall be awarded to holders of valid winning tickets as follows:
(a)
For each ticket
bearing a selection which matches none of the five numbers drawn for field one,
and matching the one number drawn for field two, and in the event that the
player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of two is
selected, the regular prize award of two dollars shall be multiplied by two and
the player shall be entitled to a prize award of four dollars. In the event
that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of
three is selected, the regular prize award of two dollars shall be multiplied
by three and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of six dollars. In
the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier
number of four is selected, the regular prize award of two dollars shall be
multiplied by four and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of eight
dollarsFor each ticket selecting the first two
digits (k-i) matching exactly, a prize of ten dollars.
(b)
For each ticket
bearing a selection which matches one of the five numbers drawn for field one,
and matching the one number drawn for field two, and in the event that the
player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of two is
selected, the regular prize award of three dollars shall be multiplied by two
and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of six dollars. In the event
that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of
three is selected, the regular prize award of three dollars shall be multiplied
by three and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of nine dollars. In
the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier
number of four is selected, the regular prize award of three dollars shall be
multiplied by four and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of twelve
dollarsFor each ticket selecting the first
three digits (k-i-c) matching exactly, a prize of one hundred dollars.
(c)
For
each ticket bearing a selection which matches three of the five numbers drawn
for field one, and no matching number drawn for field two, and in the event
that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of
two is selected, the regular prize award of seven dollars shall be multiplied
by two and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of fourteen dollars.
In the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a
multiplier number of three is selected, the regular prize award of seven
dollars shall be multiplied by three and the player shall be entitled to a
prize award of twenty-one dollars. In the event that the player has purchased
the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of four is selected, the regular
prize award of seven dollars shall be multiplied by four and the player shall
be entitled to a prize award of twenty-eight dollarsFor each ticket selecting the first four digits (k-i-c-k)
matching exactly, a prize of one thousand dollars.
(d)
For each ticket
bearing a selection which matches two of the five numbers drawn for field one,
and matching the one number drawn for field two,and in the event that the
player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of two is
selected, the regular prize award of ten dollars shall be multiplied by two and
the player shall be entitled to a prize award of twenty dollars. In the event
that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of
three is selected, the regular prize award of ten dollars shall be multiplied
by three and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of thirty dollars.
In the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a
multiplier number of four is selected, the regular prize award of ten dollars
shall be multiplied by four and the player shall be entitled to a prize award
of forty dollarsFor each ticket selecting the
first five digits (k-i-c-k-e) matching exactly, a prize of five thousand
dollars.
(e)
For each ticket bearing a selection which matches three
of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number drawn for
field two, and in the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature
and a multiplier number of two is selected, the regular prize award of one
hundred fifty dollars shall be multiplied by two and the player shall be
entitled to a prize award of three hundred dollars. In the event that the
player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of three is
selected, the regular prize award of one hundred fifty dollars shall be
multiplied by three and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of four
hundred fifty dollars. In the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier
feature and a multiplier number of four is selected, the regular prize award of
one hundred fifty dollars shall be multiplied by four and the player shall be
entitled to a prize award of six hundred dollarsFor each ticket selecting all six digits (k-i-c-k-e-r)
matching exactly, a prize of one hundred thousand dollars.
(f)
For each ticket
bearing a selection which matches four of the five numbers drawn for field one,
and no matching number drawn for field two, and in the event that the player
has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of two is selected,
the regular prize award of one hundred fifty dollars shall be multiplied by two
and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of three hundred dollars. In
the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier
number of three is selected, the regular prize award of one hundred fifty
dollars shall be multiplied by three and the player shall be entitled to a
prize award of four hundred fifty dollars. In the event that the player has
purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of four is selected,
the regular prize award of one hundred fifty dollars shall be multiplied by
four and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of six hundred
dollars.
(g)
For each ticket bearing a selection which matches four
of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number drawn for
field two, and in the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature
and a multiplier number of two is selected, the regular prize award of ten
thousand dollars shall be multiplied by two and the player shall be entitled to
a prize award of twenty thousand dollars. In the event that the player has
purchased the Megaplier feature and a multiplier number of three is selected,
the regular prize award of ten thousand dollars shall be multiplied by three
and the player shall be entitled to a prize award of thirty thousand dollars.
In the event that the player has purchased the Megaplier feature and a
multiplier number of four is selected, the regular prize award of ten thousand
dollars shall be multiplied by four and the player shall be entitled to a prize
award of forty thousand dollars; and
(h)
For each ticket
bearing a selection which matches all five of the five numbers drawn for field
one, and no matching number drawn for field two, and in the event the player
has purchased the Megaplier feature, the regular prize award of two hundred
fifty thousand dollars shall be increased and the player shall be entitled to a
prize award of one million dollars.
(3)
The directors or
their designees shall have discretion to change the prize amounts and number of
prizes referred to in paragraphs (E)(2)(a) to (E)(2)(h) of this rule. Changes
shall be publicly announced.
(4)
Any amounts
remaining in the prize pools described in paragraphs (E)(2)(a) to (E)(2)(h) of
this rule after any given drawing, due to residual amounts after prize
disbursements, shall be retained by the party lotteries.
(5)
If the total
prize liability for the prize levels described in paragraphs (E)(2)(a) to
(E)(2)(h) of this rule exceed the liability cap agreed upon by the directors,
then that liability cap may be enforced for the payment of the prize awards set
forth in paragraphs (E)(2)(a) to (E)(2)(h) of this rule. In the event the
liability cap is exceeded, then the prizes set forth in paragraphs (E)(2)(a) to
(E)(2)(h) of this rule may be paid on a pari-mutuel basis, or in another manner
as determined by the director, rather than fixed prize basis, provided,
however, that in no event shall the pari-mutuel prizes or other prizes awarded
be greater than the applicable fixed prizes. In the event that the liability
cap is exceeded and prizes are paid on a pari-mutuel basis, or in another
manner as determined by the director, the amounts used for allocation of such
pari-mutuel prizes, or other prizes awarded, for each prize level shall be
determined by the director. If the liability cap is exceeded for a particular
drawing, the Ohio director shall make the amount of the liability cap publicly
available by means that the Ohio director deems appropriate. For purposes of
prize calculation with respect to any game number two hundred fifty pari-mutuel
prize, the calculation shall be rounded down so that prizes shall be paid in
multiples of one dollar.
(6)
In a single game number two hundred fifty drawing, a
claimant may win in only one prize category per wager as a result of possessing
winning numbers selected in either one or both fields of play, and shall be
entitled only to the highest prize level won, and if the Megaplier feature is
selected, the prizes awarded under paragraphs (E)(2)(a) to (E)(2)(h) shall be
in lieu of the prize awards set forth in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this
rule, not in addition to the prize awards set forth therein.
(F) Frequency and location of
prize drawings. Drawings shall be held at such times and places determined by
the directors.
(G) Manner of prize
drawings.
(1) AllPrize drawings conducted in
connection with this rule shall be open to the public and may be held at
such places and times in any party lottery jurisdictions that the directors
shall determine. The directors shall inform the public as to the time and place
of each prize drawing.
(2) All
holders of valid tickets for a given drawing are eligible to win in that
drawing.
(3) All drawings in
connection with the "Mega Millions" will be
conducted randomly in accordance with procedures approved by the directors. For
every drawing in connection with "Mega Millions",
the directors will approve operating procedures and mechanical drawing devices to be used in the
selection of winning numbers and the awarding of prizes.
(H) Validity of tickets.
(1) Each purchaser of tickets in game number
two hundred fifty shall be responsible for verifying that the numbers imprinted
on such tickets are those requested, that the purchase price paid is the price
recorded on such ticket, and that such ticket has recorded thereon the type of
wager(s) and the drawing date(s) therefor that the purchaser desired to make.
The Ohio lottery commission shall be free of any liability in connection with
this paragraph.
(2) Each ticket
issued in game number two hundred fifty shall have imprinted thereon at the
time of purchase a control number, bar code data, or both, supplied by the Ohio
lottery commission. No prize shall be paid by the Ohio lottery commission for
any tickets without such control number or bar code data. A valid winning
ticket bearing matching player or on line gaming system computer number
selections and also containing a control number, bar code data, or both,
supplied by the Ohio lottery commission, shall serve as the only valid proof of
the wager placed and the only valid receipt for claiming or redeeming any
prize. Each party lottery follows the same requirements set forth in this
paragraph.
(3) As applicable to
this rule, any and all game tickets, including "The MegaplierKicker"
featuregame
tickets, may not be canceled.
(4) Valid winning game number two hundred
fifty tickets must meet the following conditions:
(a) Validation data must be present in its
entirety and must correspond, using the computer validation file, to the number
selections printed on the ticket for the drawing date(s) printed on the ticket;
(b) The ticket must be intact;
(c) The ticket must not be
mutilated, altered, reconstituted, or tampered with in any manner;
(d) The ticket must not be counterfeit or an
exact duplicate of another winning ticket;
(e) The ticket must have been issued by an
authorized Ohio lottery commission sales agent on official paper stock of the
Ohio lottery commission;
(f) The
ticket must not have been stolen;
(g) The ticket must be submitted for payment
in accordance with the Ohio lottery commission's validation and claiming
procedures;
(h) The ticket data
must have been recorded on the central computer system prior to the drawing and
the ticket data must match this computer record in every respect (in the event
of a contradiction between the information as printed on the ticket and as
accepted by the Ohio lottery commission on line gaming system, the wager
accepted shall be the valid wager);
(i) The player or computer number selections,
validation data and the drawing date(s) of an apparent winning ticket must
appear on the official file of winning tickets, and a ticket with that exact
data must not have been previously paid;
(j) The ticket must not be misregistered,
defectively printed or printed or produced in error to an extent that it cannot
be processed by the Ohio lottery commission;
(k) The ticket must pass all other
confidential security checks of the Ohio lottery commission;
(l) In submitting an official game number two
hundred fifty ticket for validation, the claimant agrees to abide by applicable
laws, all rules and regulations of the Ohio lottery commission, and any
instructions, conditions and final decisions of the Ohio director;
(m) There must not be any other breach of the
rules described herein in relation to the ticket which, in the opinion of the
Ohio director, justifies disqualification; and
(n) To be eligible for payment, all winning
tickets must be presented for payment to the party lottery which issued it
within the claiming period as established by that party lottery.
(5) All winning tickets in game
number two hundred fifty are subject to validation by the on line computer
system under procedures established by the Ohio director before the payment of
any prize.
(6) An official game
number two hundred fifty ticket submitted for validation which fails any of the
validation conditions as established in paragraph (H)(4) of this rule shall be
considered void, subject to the following determination:
(a) In all cases of doubt, the determination
of the Ohio director shall be final and binding. However, the Ohio director, at
his/her option, may replace an invalid ticket with an official game number two
hundred fifty ticket of equivalent sales price or a refund of the purchase
price;
(b) In the event a
defective ticket is purchased or in the event that the Ohio director determines
to adjust an error, the sole and exclusive remedy shall be the replacement of
such defective or erroneous ticket(s) with an official game number two hundred
fifty ticket of equivalent sales price or a refund of the purchase price; and
(c) In the event an official game
number two hundred fifty ticket is not paid by the Ohio lottery commission, and
a dispute occurs as to whether the ticket is a valid winning ticket, the Ohio
lottery commission may, at its option, replace the ticket or provide a refund
of the purchase price.
(7) The Ohio lottery commission shall not be
responsible for lost or stolen game number two hundred fifty tickets.
(8) The Ohio lottery commission
shall not be responsible to any claimant and sales agent for game number two
hundred fifty tickets redeemed in error by an Ohio lottery commission sales
agent.
(9) Valid prize winners are
determined by the numbers drawn and not the numbers reported. The Ohio lottery
commission shall not be responsible for game number two hundred fifty winning
numbers reported in error.
(10) In
purchasing a ticket issued for game number two hundred fifty, the player agrees
to comply with and be bound by all applicable statutes, administrative rules
and regulations, and procedures of the Ohio lottery commission, and understands
that the directives and determinations of the other party lotteries do not
apply to game number two hundred fifty purchases in Ohio. The player agrees, as
its sole and exclusive remedy, that claims arising out of any "Mega Millions"
ticket purchase can be pursued only against the state or jurisdiction of ticket
purchase. Therefore, litigation, if any, may only be maintained against the
Ohio lottery commission in the appropriate forum for game number two hundred
fifty tickets purchased at an authorized Ohio lottery sales agent location.
(11) For the purpose of
determining the number of winning wagers, division of the grand prize jackpot
is contingent on the on line computer system's determination of winning wagers
sold, and not by the number of winning tickets presented for payment.
(I) Procedures for
claiming and payment of prize awards.
(1)
Effective upon determination of prize payouts, prizes shall be redeemed or
claimed only in the jurisdiction where the official winning "Mega Millions"
ticket was purchased. Claimants of prizes in "Mega Millions" must comply with
the claiming periods or deadlines of the jurisdiction where the winning "Mega
Millions" ticket was purchased. Claimants of game number two hundred fifty
prizes for winning tickets purchased in Ohio must comply with the following
terms and conditions:
(a) Prizes for game
number two hundred fifty tickets purchased in Ohio may be redeemed or claimed
only through Ohio lottery sales agents authorized to sell game number two
hundred fifty tickets, or other authorized claim centers designated by the Ohio
lottery commission;
(b) Claimants
of winning game number two hundred fifty prizes for tickets purchased in Ohio
must comply with the prize claim requirements of the Ohio lottery commission
and the applicable claiming period of one hundred eighty days as set forth in
division (A)(1) of section
3770.07 of the Revised Code;
(c) In the event a single game
number two hundred fifty ticket purchased in Ohio contains two or more winning
wagers, the cumulative prize amount shall be claimed or redeemed in accordance
with the specified prize payment limits of the Ohio lottery commission;
(d) State and federal withholding
taxes for winning tickets purchased in Ohio shall be withheld from game number
two hundred fifty prizes awarded by the Ohio lottery commission in such amounts
as may be required by law, along with any other deductions required by law; and
(e) Game number two hundred fifty
prizes shall not be paid to any persons prohibited from playing by the
governing law or rules of the Ohio lottery commission. In addition, "Mega
Millions" tickets may not be purchased in any other party lottery jurisdictions
by any party lottery board or commission member; or any officer or employee of
a party lottery; or any spouse, child, brother, sister or parent residing as a
member of the same household in the principal place of residence of any such
party lottery board member or commissioner, officer or employee.
(f) For winning official game number two
hundred fifty tickets purchased in Ohio for which no claim or redemption is
made within one hundred eighty days after the date of the drawing as required
by the procedures set forth in Ohio lottery commission rules, the corresponding
prize monies shall be returned to the Ohio lottery in accordance with
procedures for the reconciliation of prize liability as may be agreed from time
to time by the directors of the party lotteries. Such unclaimed prizes shall be
paid into the state lottery fund and distributed in accordance with section
3770.06 of the Revised Code.
(J) Payment
of the grand prize jackpot award.
(1) In
accordance with the "Mega Millions" agreement, if the Ohio lottery commission
sells a winning grand prize jackpot ticket, the party lotteries shall, through
the "Mega Millions" clearinghouse, transfer to the Ohio lottery commission an
amount equivalent to each party lottery's share as determined by the directors
or their designees to be the amount needed to fund payment of the grand prize
jackpot..
(2) If there is only one
winning grand prize jackpot ticket, except as otherwise authorized, annual
payments shall be paid in twenty six annual installments by the party lottery
which sold the winning ticket. If the Ohio lottery commission sells a winning
grand prize jackpot ticket, and such winning ticket is presented for payment,
the initial installment shall be paid upon completion of internal validation
and claiming procedures as established by the Ohio lottery commission. The
first installment payment shall not be less than the twenty five subsequent
annual installment payments. The subsequent twenty five equal installments
shall be paid annually to coincide with the federal bond auction dates as
designated by the directors or their designees. If there is more than one
winning grand prize jackpot ticket, then the annual payments shall be paid in
accordance with the "Mega Millions" agreement.
(3) Upon completion of internal validation
and claiming procedures established by the Ohio lottery commission, at the time
a valid claim is presented for payment of the grand prize jackpot, the cash
grand prize option amount along with the amount of appropriately withheld state
and federal income taxes shall be disclosed in writing to the prize winner.
Commencing with the date of presentment of a valid winning grand prize jackpot
ticket to the Ohio lottery commission, and for sixty calendar days thereafter,
claimants may choose the cash option instead of annual installments. Claimants
who choose the cash option will receive the amount of cash grand prize option
amount disclosed to claimant by the Ohio lottery commission in accordance with
applicable rules, less the appropriately withheld state and federal income
taxes and any other deductions required by law.
Notice of the cash option selection must be received by the Ohio lottery commission or post office stamped by the end of the sixty calendar day deadline. Such option, once chosen, may not be revoked. If no selection is made during the allowed time period, the prize winner shall automatically be paid the prize as an annuity grand prize in twenty six annual installments as provided for herein. No payment will be issued during the period prior to selection.
(4) As set
forth in paragraphs (J)(1) to (J)(3) of this rule, a single winning game number
two hundred fifty grand prize jackpot ticket may be paid in either twenty six
annual installments or in one lump sum, cash option payment. However, prize
winners who claim a joint prize from a single winning ticket will all receive
prize payments in either annual installments or in a lump sum payment. Prize
winners who claim a joint prize from a single winning ticket may not opt to
receive different forms of payment.
(K) Net proceeds to lottery profits education
fund. The entire net proceeds from the sale of game number two hundred fifty in
Ohio that remain after associated operating expenses, prize disbursements,
lottery sales agent bonuses, commissions, and reimbursements, and any other
expenses necessary to comply with the agreements among the party lotteries or
these rules are deducted from the gross proceeds of game number two hundred
fifty, shall be transferred to the lottery profits education fund as required
under division (B) of section
3770.06 of the Revised Code.
(L) Director's conduct of game
number two hundred fifty.
(1) The Ohio
director shall conduct game number two hundred fifty in a manner consistent
with the Ohio Lottery Act, the rules of the Ohio lottery commission, including
without limitation this rule, and the regulations of the Ohio director. As
deemed necessary or advisable, the Ohio director shall adopt management
regulations, orders or directives to implement and operate this Ohio lottery
game.
(2) Names and definitions of
elements of game number two hundred fifty used in this rule are considered
generic terms used solely for the purpose of this rule.
(3) Should the Ohio director determine that
drawings conducted pursuant to game number two hundred fifty are to be
discontinued, such discontinuation must occur at the end of a jackpot sequence.
Should the directors determine that "Mega Millions" shall be discontinued and
replaced by a modified version of "Mega Millions" or another joint lotto game
with a grand prize jackpot agreed to by the party lotteries, then the directors
shall have the discretion to transfer any existing funds from the "Mega
Millions" grand prize jackpot that was not won before such drawings were
discontinued, to such new joint lotto game.
(4) The directors shall have discretion to
authorize any funding mechanism deemed necessary to accomplish payment of any
prize pool. The directors may collectively authorize sale of "Mega Millions"
tickets at a discount for promotional purposes. In addition, the Ohio director
may authorize sale of game number two hundred fifty tickets at a discount for
promotional purposes within the state of Ohio, provided that such discounted
sales are reported to the other party lotteries at full gross sales value.
(5) In the event of any conflict
between general "Mega Millions" rules and the statutes, rules or regulations of
the Ohio lottery commission, the Ohio lottery commission statutes, rules and
regulations shall control.
(6) All
decisions made by the Ohio director with respect to the play of game number two
hundred fifty in Ohio, including the declaration of prizes and the payment
thereof and the interpretation of Ohio lottery commission rules, shall be final
and binding on all purchasers and on every person making a claim in respect
thereof.
Notes
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3770.03
Rule Amplifies: 3770.01, 3770.02, 3770.03, 3770.04, 3770.05, 3770.06, 3770.07, 3770.08
Prior Effective Dates: 01/15/2011
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3770.03
Rule Amplifies: 3770.01, 3770.02, 3770.03, 3770.04, 3770.05, 3770.06, 3770.07, 3770.08
Prior Effective Dates: 5/3/02, 9/30/04, 6/22/05, 10/9/05, 6/8/07, 1/15/11
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