S.C. Code Regs. 44-50.10 - Online Games

A. The Commission authorizes the Executive Director to select, operate, and contract for the operation of online games which meet the criteria generally set forth in this subsection.

(1) The base price of an online ticket shall not be less than fifty cents ($0.50).

(2) The manner and frequency of drawings may vary with the type of online games.

(3) The times, locations, and drawing procedures shall be determined by the Executive Director.

B. A ticket bearer entitled to a prize shall submit the winning ticket for validation. The winning ticket shall be validated as required by the Executive Director.

C. An online game may include a special prize drawing which will stimulate the broad variety of games offered by the Lottery.

D. Procedures for claiming online prizes are as follows:

(1) For a game prize that does not exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), the claimant shall present the ticket within one hundred eighty (180) days of the drawing to a lottery retailer or to SCEL for payment.

(2) If the claim is presented to a lottery retailer, the lottery retailer shall validate the claim. If the ticket is determined to be a winning ticket, the lottery retailer shall make payment of the amount due the claimant. If the lottery retailer cannot validate the claim, the claimant may obtain and complete a claim form and submit it with the disputed ticket to SCEL by mail or in person. Upon determination that the ticket is a winning ticket, SCEL shall present or mail a check to the claimant in payment of the amount due. Prizes shall be paid during all normal business hours of the lottery retailer, provided, the online system is operational and claims can be validated. If the ticket is determined to be a nonwinning ticket, the claim shall be denied and the claimant shall be promptly notified. Nonwinning tickets shall not be returned to the claimant.

E. If the claim is presented to SCEL, the claimant shall complete a claim form, as provided by the Executive Director, and submit it with the winning ticket to SCEL by mail or in person. Upon determination that the ticket is a winning ticket, SCEL shall present or mail a check to the claimant in payment of the amount due, less any applicable federal and state income tax withholdings and less any withholding required by Section 59-150-330. If the ticket is determined to be a nonwinning ticket, the claim shall be denied and the claimant shall be promptly notified. Nonwinning tickets shall not be returned to the claimant.

F. Subject to the limitations herein, to claim an online prize of more than five hundred dollars ($500), within the limit of one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the drawing, the claimant shall obtain and complete a claim form, as provided by the Executive Director, and submit it with the winning ticket to SCEL or its agent. The Commission may authorize the Executive Director to designate a limited number of lottery retailers to act as agents to validate claims and pay a winning prize in excess of $500 but not more than $4,999 or the amount authorized by statute. Upon validation, SCEL or its agent shall pay the claimant, by check or other manner approved by SCEL, the amount due, less any applicable federal and state income tax withholdings and any withholdings required by Section 59-150-330. In the event that the claim is not validated, the claim shall be denied and the claimant shall be promptly notified. Nonwinning tickets shall not be returned to the claimant.

G. A lottery retailer may pay prizes in cash or by business check, certified check, money order or a combination thereof. A lottery retailer that pays a prize with a check which is dishonored, in addition to full payment of the amount of the check and all nonsufficient funds charges and any other legitimate banking charge, may be subject to suspension or revocation of its license. SCEL may not impose a monetary fine against a retailer who issues a check or other negotiable instrument that is dishonored for the payment of a prize.

Notes

S.C. Code Regs. 44-50.10

Added by State Register Volume 26, Issue No. 6, Part 2, eff June 28, 2002. Amended by State Register Volume 30, Issue No. 5, eff May 26, 2006.