Rule 3770:1-9-955 | Game rule nine hundred fifty-five.
(A) Title and term. Game number nine hundred fifty-five is the Ohio-adopted modified version of the "Powerball" game for "Powerball" draws beginning August 23, 2021. Game number nine hundred nine hundred fifty-five will be conducted at such times and for such periods as the director may determine. For the purpose of this rule, "sales cycle" will 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 final settlement with respect to such period.
(B) General design.
(1) "Powerball" is a statewide joint lottery game that is based on an agreement for the sale of "Powerball" by participating party lotteries.
(2) As used in this rule, "Powerball" will hereinafter be referred to as "game number nine hundred fifty-five" as it applies to statewide ticket sales in Ohio conducted by the Ohio lottery commission for draws beginning August 23, 2021.
(3) As used in this rule, "MUSL" will mean the multi-state lottery association.
(4) Game number nine hundred fifty-five will be conducted in accordance with this rule and the "Powerball" group rules as last amended by MUSL on January 7, 2021 (hereinafter "Group Rules"). The "Group Rules" are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein and will be posted on the Ohio lottery commission website. The "Group Rules" as last amended January 7, 2021 may be accessed by going to the link https://www.ohiolottery.com/Claiming/RulesAndRegulations and clicking on the "Powerball" tab.
(5) As used in this rule, "panel or play area" will mean the area of an official "Powerball" ticket which sets forth a player's selection and is 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 through the gaming system through the auto pick feature, and second field of one number consisting of one or two digits selected by the player or through the gaming system through the auto pick feature. Up to ten such panels or play areas may appear on any one ticket in game number nine hundred fifty-five. The director may change the number of panels or play areas appearing on any one ticket in game number nine hundred fifty-five. Each panel will constitute a separate wager.
(6) As used in this rule, "party lottery" or "party lotteries" will mean the lottery or lotteries established and operated pursuant to the laws of the jurisdictions participating in "Powerball" including but not limited to members and licensees of "MUSL" who are participating in "Powerball."
(7) As used in this rule, "Ohio lottery" will mean the state lottery commission.
(8) As used in this rule, "directors" will mean the chief officers of the party lotteries or any other persons to whom a chief officer's or a group of chief officers' authority is lawfully delegated.
(9) As used in this rule, "director" will mean the executive director of the Ohio lottery commission.
(10) As used in this rule, "set prize" means all other prizes except the grand prize that are advertised to be paid by a single cash payment and, except as otherwise provided or authorized herein, will be equal to the prize amount established by applicable procedures.
(11) As used in this rule "grand prize" will mean the top prize in game number nine hundred fifty-five.
(12) As used in this rule, "subscription play" is only valid when registered with a party lottery in accordance with the rules and procedures of a party lottery who has authorized sales through subscription and the person or, if permitted by the party lottery's rules, the persons registering the play will be the owner of the subscription play. A receipt for a subscription play has no value and is not evidence of a play.
(13) As used in this rule, "applicable procedures" will mean procedures, "Group Rules" and/or agreements relating to or associated with "Powerball," as designated or agreed to by the director for the operation of game number nine hundred fifty-five.
(14) Game number nine hundred fifty-five is not required to be amended when a party lottery is added or removed from participating, unless the addition or removal of a party lottery will substantively change the game matrix, play style or the method of prize payments in game nine hundred fifty-five. Nothing contained herein will be deemed to be a prohibition against amendments to game number nine hundred fifty-five, as determined by the director to be appropriate or necessary.
(15) Each ticket in game number nine hundred fifty-five will be imprinted with one set of five unique numbers from a set of numbers, one through sixty-nine inclusively ("field one"), and one unique number from a second set of numbers, one through twenty-six, inclusively ("field two"), as determined by choice of the ticket purchaser or the auto pick feature on the gaming system, and recorded on the ticket at the time of the 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. Bet cards are available at no cost to the player and will have no pecuniary or prize value, nor will a bet card constitute evidence of purchase or number selection. When a player verbally places a "Powerball" wager, the player will either manually select the numbers from both fields or request usage of the auto pick feature to select numbers from both fields. A player may also place a wager through other means that are approved by the director. A ticket may contain one or more panels as described in paragraph (B)(5) of this rule.
(16) As used in this rule, game number nine hundred fifty-five winning numbers will be randomly selected during each official "Powerball" drawing, and will consist of five numbers selected from a field of numbers one through sixty-nine inclusively, and one number selected from a second field of numbers one through twenty-six inclusively. Holders of valid winning tickets for a given drawing bearing the numbers drawn in that drawing, in whole or in part, and excluding the "Power Play" option will be entitled to the set prize award in accordance with the applicable section(s) of this rule. In addition, as set forth in this rule or as approved by the director, with each official "Powerball" drawing, a single "Power Play" number will be randomly selected.
(C) Price of tickets. The price of a "Powerball" wager in game number nine hundred fifty-five will be two dollars. 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 panels and inclusive drawings. The cost of every two dollar wager will be increased by one dollar if a player purchases the "Power Play" option.
(D) Structure, nature and value of prize awards. Except as otherwise provided or authorized herein, all prize awards for prizes described in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule will be set as set prizes. The grand prize described in paragraph (D)(9) of this rule will be paid on a pari-mutuel basis. Except as otherwise determined in accordance with applicable procedures, no advertised grand prize is a guaranteed amount. In the event that an advertised grand prize is determined in accordance with applicable procedures to be a guaranteed amount, funding and payment of such guaranteed grand prize amounts will be in accordance with applicable procedures. Except as otherwise provided or authorized herein, based upon the numbers drawn in each regular drawing for game nine hundred fifty-five, prizes will be awarded to holders of valid winning tickets for that drawing as follows:
(1) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches none of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of four dollars.
(2) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches one of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of four dollars.
(3) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches two of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of seven dollars.
(4) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches three of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of seven dollars.
(5) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches three of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of one hundred dollars.
(6) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches four of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of one hundred dollars.
(7) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches four of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of fifty thousand dollars.
(8) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches five of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number for field two, the player will be entitled to a set prize award of one million dollars.
(9) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches five of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, the player will win the grand prize award which will be divided equally among the winning selections if there is more than one winning selection. The grand prize will be determined on a pari-mutuel basis and will be equal to the amount designated in accordance with applicable procedures.
(10) In the event that there are no winning tickets for the grand prize described in paragraph (D)(9) of this rule for a drawing, except as otherwise approved in accordance with applicable procedures, the designated grand prize amount from that drawing will be carried forward into the grand prize for the next consecutive drawing.
(11) If the total prize liability for the prize levels set forth in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule exceeds the liability cap designated in accordance with applicable procedures, then that liability cap may be enforced for the payment of the prize awards set forth in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule. In the event the prize liability is exceeded, then the prizes set forth in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule may be paid on a pari-mutuel basis, or in another manner as determined by the director, rather than a set prize basis, provided, however, that in no event will the pari-mutuel prizes or other prizes awarded be greater than the applicable set prizes. In the event that the liability cap is exceeded and prizes are paid on a pari-mutuel basis, the amounts to be used for allocation of such pari-mutuel prizes, or other prizes awarded, for each prize level will be determined in accordance with applicable procedures. If the liability cap is exceeded for a particular drawing, the director will make the liability cap publicly available by means that the directors deems appropriate.
(12) In a single game number nine hundred fifty-five drawing, a claimant may win in only one prize category per wager as a result of processing winning numbers selected in either one or both of the fields of play, and will be entitled to only the highest prize level won.
(13) Annuitized payments of the grand prize or a share of the grand prize may be rounded to facilitate the purchase of an appropriate funding mechanism. Breakage on an annuitized grand prize win will be added to the first cash payment to the winner or winners. Prizes other than the grand prize which, in accordance with applicable procedures, become single-payment, pari-mutuel prizes, may be rounded down so that prizes can be paid in multiples of whole dollars. Breakage resulting from rounding these prizes will be handled in accordance with applicable procedures.
(14) 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.
(E) "Power Play." Powerball "Power Play" is an addition to the "Powerball" game and, if approved by the director, will be conducted in accordance with the "Powerball" game rules and other applicable procedures. Provided that the director approves "Power Play," as used in this rule, "Power Play" is an available feature of game rule number nine hundred fifty-five, and a ticket purchaser will have the option to play the "Power Play" option as an addition to the "Powerball" ticket purchased, except that "Power Play" will not apply to the "Powerball" grand prize. If the "Power Play" option is chosen by the purchaser, the cost for every two dollar wager will be increased by one dollar, and the words "Power Play YES" will be printed on the player's ticket. If the "Power Play" option is not chosen, the words "Power Play NO" will be printed on a player's ticket. The director may announce prior to a drawing that the "Power Play" number of ten will not be available for drawings in which the advertised grand prize amount is above a specified amount, but the "Power Play" number of ten will at a minimum be available for all drawings in which the advertised annuitized grand prize amount is one hundred fifty million dollars or less. If the "Power Play" option is chosen by the purchaser and the "Power Play" number of ten is available, a single "Power Play" number will be randomly selected from forty-three numbers. Those numbers will consist of: twenty-four twos; thirteen threes; three fours; two fives; and one ten. If the "Power Play" option is chosen by the purchaser and the "Power Play" number of ten is not available, a single "Power Play" option will be randomly selected from forty-two numbers. Those numbers will consist of: twenty-four twos; thirteen threes; three fours; and two fives. The set prizes will be multiplied by the "Power Play" number drawn for that respective drawing, except that the "Power Play" feature will not apply to the "Powerball" grand prize. Except as otherwise provided or authorized herein, instead of prizes set forth under paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule, prizes awarded to holders of valid winning tickets for a given drawing bearing the numbers drawn in that drawing, in whole or in part, and including the purchase of the "Power Play" option will be as follows in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(8) of this rule and will be paid as cash prizes. In the event that a higher promotional prize is designated by the director in accordance with applicable procedures, prizes awarded in connection with any such promotion will be paid in accordance with applicable procedures for that promotion. In certain instances, the "Powerball" set prizes may be less than the amounts set forth in paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(8) of this rule. In such an event, the "Power Play" prizes set forth in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(7) of this rule may be adjusted by the director in accordance with applicable procedures and the "Power Play" prize set forth in paragraph (E)(8) of this rule may be in an amount determined after the draw, rather than the prizes set forth in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(8) of this rule.
(1) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches none of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, and in the event that the player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is two, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by two and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of eight dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is three, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by three and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twelve dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is four, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by four and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of sixteen dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is five, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by five and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twenty dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, the "Power Play" option of ten is available and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is ten, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by ten and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of forty dollars.
(2) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches one of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, and in the event that the player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respected drawing is two, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by two and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of eight dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is three, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by three and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twelve dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is four, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by four and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of sixteen dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is five, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by five and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twenty dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, the "Power Play" option of ten is available and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is ten, the set prize award of four dollars will be multiplied by ten and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of forty dollars.
(3) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches two of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, and in the event the player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respected drawing is two, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by two and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of fourteen dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is three, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by three and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twenty-one dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is four, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by four and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twenty-eight dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is five, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by five and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of thirty-five dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, the "Power Play" option of ten is available and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is ten, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by ten and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of seventy dollars.
(4) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches three of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number for field two, and in the event the player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respected drawing is two, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by two and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of fourteen dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is three, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by three and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twenty-one dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is four, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by four and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of twenty-eight dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is five, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by five and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of thirty-five dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, the "Power Play" option of ten is available and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is ten, the set prize award of seven dollars will be multiplied by ten and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of seventy dollars.
(5) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches three of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, and in the event the player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respected drawing is two, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by two and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of two hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is three, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by three and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of three hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is four, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by four and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of four hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is five, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by five and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of five hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, the "Power Play" option of ten is available and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is ten, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by ten and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of one thousand dollars.
(6) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches four of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number for field two, and in the event the player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respected drawing is two, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by two and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of two hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is three, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by three and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of three hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is four, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by four and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of four hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is five, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by five and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of five hundred dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, the "Power Play" option of ten is available and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is ten, the set prize award of one hundred dollars will be multiplied by ten and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of one thousand dollars.
(7) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches four of the five numbers drawn for field one, and matching the one number for field two, and in the event the player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respected drawing is two, the set prize award of fifty thousand dollars will be multiplied by two and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of one hundred thousand dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is three, the set prize award of fifty thousand dollars will be multiplied by three and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of one hundred fifty thousand dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is four, the set prize award of fifty thousand dollars will be multiplied by four and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of two hundred thousand dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is five, the set prize award of fifty thousand dollars will be multiplied by five and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of two hundred fifty thousand dollars. In the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, the "Power Play" option of ten is available and the "Power Play" number selected for that respective drawing is ten, the set prize award of fifty thousand dollars will be multiplied by ten and the player will be entitled to a total prize award of five hundred thousand dollars.
(8) For each ticket bearing a selection which matches five of the five numbers drawn for field one, and no matching number for field two, and in the event that a player has purchased the "Power Play" option, regardless of the "Power Play" number selected, the player will be entitled to a prize award of two million dollars.
(9) If the total prize liability for the prize levels set forth in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(8) of this rule exceeds a liability cap designated in accordance with applicable procedures, then that liability cap may be enforced for the payment of the prize awards set forth in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(8) of this rule. In the event the prize liability is exceeded, then the prizes set forth in paragraphs (E)(1) to (E)(8) of this rule may be paid on a pari-mutuel basis, or in another manner as determined by the director, rather than a set prize basis, provided, however, that in no event will the pari-mutuel prizes or other prizes awarded be greater than the applicable set prizes. In the event that the liability cap is exceeded and prizes are paid on a pari-mutuel basis, the amounts to be used for allocation of such pari-mutuel prizes, or other prizes awarded, for each prize level will be determined in accordance with applicable procedures. If the liability cap is exceeded for a particular drawing, the director will make the liability cap publicly available by means that the directors deems appropriate.
(10) In a single game number nine hundred fifty-five drawing, a claimant may win in only one prize category per wager as a result of processing winning numbers selected in either one or both of the fields of play, and will be entitled to only the highest prize level won.
(11) Prizes other than the grand prize, which, in accordance with applicable procedures, become single-payment, pari-mutuel prizes, may be rounded down so that prizes can be paid in multiples of whole dollars. Breakage resulting from rounding these prizes will be handled in accordance with applicable procedures.
(12) 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.
(F) Frequency and location of prize drawings. Drawings will be held at such times and places determined by the directors.
(G) Manner of prize drawings.
(1) Prize drawings will be open to the public and may be held at such places and times in any party lottery jurisdiction that the directors determine. The public will be informed as to the time and place of each prize drawing.
(2) Holders of valid tickets for a given drawing are eligible to win in that drawing.
(3) All drawings conducted in association with "Powerball" will be conducted randomly in accordance with applicable procedures and with drawing devices for the selection of winning numbers approved in accordance with applicable procedures.
(H) Validity of tickets.
(1) It will be the sole responsibility of each purchaser of a ticket in game number nine hundred fifty-five to verify the accuracy of the game play or plays and other data printed on the ticket. The Ohio lottery commission will be free from any liability in connection with this paragraph.
(2) Each ticket issued in game number nine hundred fifty-five will have imprinted thereon at the time of purchase a control number, bar code data, or both, supplied by the Ohio lottery commission. No prize will 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 number selections or gaming system generated number selections and also containing a control number, bar code data, or both, supplied by the Ohio lottery commission, will serve as the only valid proof of the wager placed and the only valid receipt for claiming or redeeming any prize in game number nine hundred fifty-five.
(3) As applicable to this rule, any and all game tickets may not be canceled. This will not prohibit the director, at the director's discretion, from compensating a retailer for a returned ticket, which is not eligible to win a prize at the time it is returned to the Ohio lottery commission, except that tickets stolen by a retailer's employee or agent cannot be accepted as a returned ticket. Any ticket that is accepted by the director as a returned ticket is for Ohio lottery commission auditing purposes only and will have no effect on the outcome of the drawing for which they were issued or reduce the Ohio lottery commission's required contribution to the grand prize pool.
(4) In addition to all other validation conditions contained in this rule, valid winning game number nine hundred fifty-five tickets will meet the following conditions:
(a) Validation data must be present in its entirety and needs to 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 location authorized to sell tickets for game number nine hundred fifty-five on official paper stock of the Ohio lottery commission;
(f) The ticket must be submitted for payment in accordance with the Ohio lottery commission's validation and claiming procedures;
(g) The ticket data must have been recorded on the gaming system prior to the drawing and the ticket data must match this computer record in every respect (in the event of contradiction between the information as printed on the ticket and as accepted by the gaming system, the wager accepted by the gaming system will be the valid wager);
(h) The player selected or gaming system selected 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 the exact data must not have been previously paid;
(i) 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;
(j) The ticket must pass all other confidential security checks of the Ohio lottery commission;
(k) In submitting an official game number nine hundred fifty-five ticket for validation, the claimant agrees to abide by all applicable laws, all rules and regulations of the Ohio lottery commission, all applicable procedures and any instructions, conditions and final decisions of the Ohio director;
(l) There must not be any breach of the rules or applicable procedures established for "Powerball" which, in the opinion of the Ohio director, justifies disqualification;
(m) To be eligible for payment for a winning ticket sold in Ohio, all winning tickets must be presented for payment to the Ohio lottery within the claiming period established by the Ohio lottery. To be eligible for payment of a winning ticket sold in a party lottery other than the Ohio lottery, 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. If no such claim period has been established, all grand prize claims will be made within one hundred eighty days after the drawing date; and
(n) All winning tickets in game number nine hundred fifty-five are subject to validation by the gaming system under applicable procedures and are subject to all other required validation processes and requirements before the payment of any prize.
(5) An official game number nine hundred fifty-five ticket submitted for validation which fails any of the validation conditions established in this rule will be considered void subject to the following determination:
(a) In all cases of doubt, the determination of the director will be final and binding. However, the director, at the director's option, may replace an invalid ticket with an official game number nine hundred fifty-five 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 director determines to adjust an error, the sole and exclusive remedy will be the replacement of such defective or erroneous ticket(s) with an official game number nine hundred fifty-five ticket of equivalent sales price or a refund of the purchase price; and
(c) In the event an official game number nine hundred fifty-five 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.
(6) The Ohio lottery commission will not be responsible for lost or stolen game number nine hundred fifty-five tickets.
(7) The Ohio lottery commission will not be responsible to any claimant and sales agent for game number nine hundred fifty-five tickets redeemed in error by an Ohio lottery commission sales agent.
(8) Valid prize winners are determined by the numbers drawn and not the numbers reported. The Ohio lottery commission will not be responsible for game number nine hundred fifty-five winning numbers reported in error.
(9) In purchasing a ticket in game number nine hundred fifty-five, the player agrees to comply with and be bound by all applicable statutes, administrative rules, and procedures of the Ohio lottery commission, and understands that unless designated or agreed to by the director, directives and determinations of the other party lotteries do not apply to game number nine hundred fifty-five purchases in Ohio. The player agrees, as its sole and exclusive remedy, that claims arising out of any "Powerball" ticket purchase can only be pursued 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 nine hundred fifty-five tickets purchased at an authorized Ohio lottery commission sales location.
(10) For purposes of determining the number of winning wagers, division of the grand prize jackpot is contingent on the gaming system's determination of winning wagers sold, and not by the number of winning wagers presented for payment.
(I) Procedures for claiming and payment of prize awards.
(1) Effective upon a determination of prize payouts, prizes will be redeemed or claimed only in the jurisdiction where the official winning "Powerball" ticket was purchased. Claimants of prizes in "Powerball" must comply with the claiming periods of deadlines of the jurisdiction where the winning "Powerball" ticket was purchased. Claimants of game number nine hundred fifty-five prizes for winning tickets purchased in Ohio must comply with the following terms and conditions:
(a) Prizes for game number nine hundred fifty-five purchased in Ohio may be redeemed or claimed only through Ohio lottery sales agents authorized to sell game number nine hundred fifty-five, or other authorized claim centers or locations designated by the Ohio lottery commission;
(b) Claimants of winning game number nine hundred fifty-five 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 nine hundred fifty-five ticket purchased in Ohio contains two or more winning wagers, the cumulative prize amount will 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 will be withheld from game number nine hundred fifty-five prizes awarded by the Ohio lottery commission in such amounts as may be required by law, along with any other deductions required by law;
(e) A "Powerball" prize, including but not limited to any promotional prizes associated with "Powerball," awarded by any party lottery will not be paid to any persons prohibited from playing or claiming an Ohio lottery prize by the governing law or rules of the Ohio lottery commission. In addition, those persons designated by a party lottery's law as being ineligible to play its games will also be ineligible to play "Powerball," and any promotions associated therewith, in that party lottery's jurisdiction;
(f) A "Powerball" ticket or a share of "Powerball" ticket, or any promotional tickets associated with "Powerball," issued by any party lottery will not be purchased by, and a prize won by any such ticket or share will not be paid to:
(i) A "MUSL" employee, officer, or director;
(ii) A contractor or consultant under agreement with "MUSL" to review the "MUSL" audit and security procedures;
(iii) An employee of an independent accounting firm under contract with "MUSL" to observe drawings or site operations and actually assigned to the "MUSL" account and all partners, shareholders, or owners in the local office of the firm; or
(iv) An immediate family member (parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, spouse or sibling) of an individual described in paragraphs (I)(1)(f)(i) to (I)(1)(f)(iii) of this rule and residing in the same household.
(g) For winning official game number nine hundred fifty-five 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, following any required reconciliation of prize liability as may be agreed to from time to time by the directors of the party lotteries, such unclaimed prize(s) will be paid into the state lottery fund and distributed in accordance with section 3770.06 of the Revised Code.
(J) Payment of grand prize jackpot award.
(1) Payment of a grand prize, if due, will be paid in thirty annual payments ("annuity option"). Within sixty days after a holder of a valid winning ticket presents for payment his or her valid claim for a grand prize, he or she may elect to receive payment of a grand prize as a lump sum cash payment ("lump sum cash option"). Calculation of the amount of "lump sum cash option" or the amount of the "annuity option" will be in accordance with applicable procedures. Grand prizes will be paid, at the election of the player made not later than sixty days after the player becomes entitled to the prize, with either an annuity or cash payment. If the payment election is not made by the player within sixty days after the player becomes entitled to the prize, then the prize will be paid as an annuity prize. The election to take the cash payment may be made at the time of the prize claim or within sixty days after the player becomes entitled to the prize. An election made after the winner becomes entitled to the prize is final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed.
(2) Share of the grand prize will be determined by dividing the cash available in the grand prize pool equally among all winning grand prize wagers from all participating party lotteries. Winner(s) who elect a cash payment will be paid their share(s) in a single cash payment. The annuitized option prize will be determined by multiplying a winner's share of the grand prize by the annuity factor. If individual shares of the cash held to fund an annuity is less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars, the Ohio lottery may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay the winners their share of the cash held in the grand prize pool. In the event that a claim is submitted jointly by one or more persons, all persons submitting that claim must elect to receive his or her share either through a cash payment or annuity payment (different options may not be chosen).
(3) The "MUSL" annuity factor is determined through a process as approved by the "MUSL" finance and audit committee.
(4) Except in those instances where the grand prize has been designated as a guaranteed amount in accordance with applicable procedures, neither "MUSL" nor the party lotteries will be responsible or liable for changes in the advertised or estimated annuity prize amount and the actual amount purchased after the prize payment method is actually known to "MUSL."
(5) Except as otherwise provided by law, all annuitized prizes will be paid annually in thirty payments with the initial payment being made in cash, to be followed by twenty-nine payments funded by the annuity, and all annuitized payments will be paid in thirty graduated payments (increasing each year) by a rate as determined in accordance with applicable procedures. Prize payments may be rounded down to the nearest one thousand dollars. After the first initial payment, annual payments will coincide with the anniversary month of the grand prize.
(6) Payment of prize payments upon the death of a prize winner. In the event of the death of a prize winner, payments will be made in accordance with rule 3770:1-8-01 of the Administrative Code and applicable procedures, relating to payment and calculation of the cash value of prize payments in a statewide joint lottery game upon the death of a prize winner.
(K) Payment of prizes other than grand prize. All prizes, other than the grand prize, will be paid in cash through the party lottery that sold the winning ticket(s). Payment of all prizes, other than the grand prize, may be made after a party lottery receives authorization to pay from "MUSL." In accordance with applicable procedures, in the event that the total amount of any prizes exceeds the percentage of the prize pool allocated to those prizes, then in such an event, the prizes may be paid on a pari-mutuel basis in accordance with applicable procedures.
(L) Net proceeds to lottery profits education fund. The entire net proceeds from the sale of game number nine hundred fifty-five 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 or the rules are deducted from the gross proceeds of game number nine hundred fifty-five, will be transferred to the lottery profits education fund as required under division (B) of section 3770.06 of the Revised Code.
(M) Conduct by director(s) in game number nine hundred fifty-five.
(1) The director will conduct game number nine hundred fifty-five and any promotions conducted in association with game number nine hundred fifty-five in a manner consistent with the Ohio Lottery Act and the rules of the Ohio lottery commission, including this rule.
(2) Names and definitions of elements of game number nine hundred fifty-five used in this rule are considered generic terms used solely for the purpose of this rule.
(3) The director may discontinue drawings conducted pursuant to game number nine hundred fifty-five. In the event that Ohio discontinues drawings conducted pursuant to game number nine hundred fifty-five, the director will designate the applicable procedures to be followed in discontinuing drawings conducted pursuant to game number nine hundred fifty-five. Should the directors determine that "Powerball" will be discontinued and replaced by a modified version of "Powerball" or another statewide joint lottery game with a grand prize agreed to by the party lotteries, then the directors will have the discretion to transfer any existing funds from the "Powerball" grand prize that was not won before such drawings were discontinued, to such new statewide joint lottery game.
(4) The directors will have discretion to authorize any funding mechanism deemed necessary to accomplish payment of any prize pool or any prizes. The directors may collectively authorize sale of "Powerball" tickets at a discount for promotional purposes. In addition, the director may authorize sale of game number nine hundred fifty-five 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) Nothing contained in this rule will prohibit a party lottery from offering Powerball tickets as prizes in any other non-"MUSL" game or promotion operated by the party lottery after advising the party lotteries and "MUSL" of the terms and dates of the offering.
(6) In the event that a party lottery offers "Powerball" tickets as a prize or as part of an authorized discount, promotion or rebate, the party lottery will contribute that party lottery's share of the prizes based on the full value of a ticket sold at a uniform price.
(7) In the event of any conflict between paragraphs (A) to (M) of this rule and the "Group Rules," this rule will control.
(8) All decisions made by the director with respect to the play of game number nine hundred fifty-five in Ohio, including but not limited to the declaration of prizes and the payment thereof and the interpretation of Ohio lottery commission rules, will be final and binding on all purchasers and on every person making a claim in respect thereof.
Last updated August 5, 2024 at 7:28 AM
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