Instant Scratchies

Instant win tickets, otherwise known as "Scratchies", "Scratch-Its" or "Scratch'n'Win", are an exciting way of playing the lottery in Australia. Since their introduction in 1982 they have gained popularity and there are now multiple different types of tickets on offer. With ticket prices ranging from $1, with top prizes of $10,000, to $20 with top prizes of up to $1,000,000, there will always be a Scratchie ticket available for everyone’s budget. Scratchies can be purchased at any lottery retailer in Australia. Find your nearest store to start playing.

How to Claim

The overall odds of winning a prize on an Instant Scratch-It is usually 1 in 4. If you are the lucky winner of a prize you’re going to want to know what to do next. For Tatts and Golden Casket customers the maximum amount you can claim at an outlet is $1,500, NSW and ACT have a maximum of $1,000 and SA Lotteries retailers have a $500 limit. It is worth checking with your local retailer to find out their maximum claim amounts as some are able to pay out as much as $5,000 in-store. You are required to claim larger prizes at your lottery’s Head Office and will be paid via cheque or Electronic Funds Transfer. Alternatively, you claim via post and your winnings should be paid to you within 10 working days.

Prizes won on Scratchies do not expire on the announced game end date, in some states you have as long as 7 years to claim your winnings. Check the list below to find out how long you can claim Scratch-Offs in each state:

• Queensland, Northern Territory & Tasmania – All Scratchie prizes must be claimed from either Golden Casket retailers or the Head Office within 7 Years of that games announced closure date.
• New South Wales & ACT - Prizes won on Scratchies must be claimed within 6 Years of the games end date.
• Victoria - Scratch It prizes must be claimed within 6 months of a games closure date.
• Western Australia - Scratch Off prizes must be claimed within 12 months of a games expiry date. Any prizes left unclaimed after the 12 month period will go towards the Lotterywest grants.

Be sure to visit the How to Claim page for more information on claiming prizes in your state.

2nd Chance Draws

Have you picked up a Scratch It recently that wasn’t a winner? Don’t throw it out - you can submit non-winning tickets to the 2nd Chance draws to be in with a chance of winning $10,000. These monthly draws are free to enter, all you have to do is log in to your account and submit the 2nd Chance code on your instant scratch-it ticket by the 31st of the month. The draws, which take place on the second Wednesday of the month, will consist of one number being randomly selected from a number generator to win $10,000.

If you win the 2nd Chance monthly draw you will be notified as soon as possible through the contact information you gave when creating your account. You may need to provide some documents before being able to claim your prize such as, the Scratchie used to enter the draw (with the corresponding 2nd Chance code), a Passport or Driver’s License (to prove you are over 18) and a completed prize claim form.