NLCB Reminds Players Lost Lottery Tickets Could Cost Their Winnings

Lottery players across Trinidad and Tobago are being reminded of an important condition that could determine whether they receive their winnings: having the original, valid lottery ticket. Under the National Lotteries Control Board’s published rules, the ticket serves as the accepted proof of a player’s number selection and is required when claiming a prize. This means that losing a winning ticket could result in a player being unable to collect their money, regardless of the amount won. The rules also state that tickets may be rejected if they are damaged, altered, illegible, previously paid or improperly registered with the lottery’s central computer system. Players are therefore encouraged to check their tickets immediately after purchase to ensure that their numbers, selected game and draw dates are correct. Another important requirement concerns the deadline for claiming winnings. According to the NLCB’s prize-claim guidance, players have 180 days from the draw date to validate and claim their prizes. The Board’s guidance also states that prizes of up to TT$12,000 can be collected at authorised lottery centres, while larger winnings must be claimed at an NLCB office. The message for lottery players is simple: purchasing the winning numbers is only part of the process. Protecting the ticket and presenting it in accordance with the rules are essential to collecting the prize. These are existing lottery rules, not a newly announced policy change.