From $600 to $999: now easier to cash tickets
By Kate Northrop
The Michigan Lottery has increased the threshold for prize claims in person from $600 to $999, allowing players to redeem greater prizes at convenient spots located around the state.
Lottery retailers are now authorized to pay out larger prizes of up to $999 to players, up from the previous allowed amount of $600.
The Lottery announced the change on Aug. 24, which also impacts how much players can redeem at self-serve kiosks. That maximum credit limit has increased from $100 to $500.
"This improvement makes it easier for players to cash tickets at local stores and benefits retailers who receive a 2% commission for all winning tickets validated and paid at their store," the Michigan Lottery said in a press release.
Players may redeem winning tickets for a credit at a self-serve lottery machine by scanning the barcode on the ticket. The kiosks also allow players to buy draw and instant games, as well as redeem Michigan Lottery coupons.
Winners of prizes ranging from $1,000 to $99,999.99 should schedule an appointment to make a claim at any of the Lottery's regional offices. Prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed in person by scheduling an appointment with the Lottery's Player Relations Division.
Here's hoping all other state lotteries do this too.
Yeah, that's because they made it harder to hit. And their scratch offs have gone downhill.
Exactly
Now the players are going to want them to change the $1000 prizes to $999.
Wake Up New York time for online lottery!!
Good luck with that. The gas stations drop money into safe at 100$ so only one I find that will cash tickets is Meijer. Anyone else know who cashes 500$ plus? One gas station boss said they can write you a check,..
This is excellent makes it much easier on players. Stores can make a little more profit. Not everybody has time to run down to the lottery center to claim prizes. Also helps with taxes a bit. Hopefully all states change this.
If winnings over $600 are taxable, how will gas stations collect the tax?
Here in KY they have many places that will cash up to $5K. When I won mine went to next town over where they have two quick stop type of stores that can do this. They take your info for the lottery and get $5K in cash. The very next day the tax form was in the mail box!
We also have sixteen centers like as above that can cash up to $25K. None are near me, so quicker to go to Headquarters if I'd ever be that lucky!
ALL lottery winnings are taxable. The federal government used to require reporting above $600. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed that to $2000. Different states have their own rules also.
EDIT: I may be wrong about this applying to lottery tickets. Please don't take tax advice from someone on the internet.
Yep a Cashing Agent will cash any ticket valued up to $5000. I cashed two 50 cent pick 4 straight/box $2600 winners at the same store; filled out two KY Lottery claim forms and got two checks each for $2600.
"The very next day the tax form was in the mail box!"
Took about a week for me to get two W-2Gs probably because the Cashing Agent had mail the claim forms, review, and send them.
The $2000 doesn't apply to lottery winnings so it's still "over $600".