Claiming a Prize — Are you a lottery winner?

FAQ

1. Can I send a friend or family member to pick up a cheque?

   Anyone claiming a prize for the members of his or her group or for another person must provide the following supporting documents:

   1. Regardless of the prize amount:

      • The winning ticket

      • One (1) piece of valid photo I.D. in the name of the owner of the ticket (in other words, the person who signed the back of the ticket). The I.D. may consist of:

        • a health insurance card
        • a driver's licence
        • a passport

      • In the case of a group purchase, the group representative must provide:

        • the group purchase agreement
        • one (1) piece of valid photo I.D. (see above) for each member of the group

   2. If the prize won is over $600:

      • the Claim Form, duly completed and signed by the person who signed the back of the ticket, is also required.
      • In the case of a group purchase, if each group member's share is greater than $600, each member must complete and sign the Claim Form.

   If all documents provided are verified and validated, the prize will be mailed to the person who signed the back of the winning ticket or to each member of a group, if it applies.

2. If someone wins a large amount, is publicity compulsory?

   The answer can be found on this page.

3. Are lottery winnings taxable?

   The answer can be found on this page.

4. Can lottery winnings be given to others as a donation?

   The answer can be found on this page.

5. Must the person receiving the gift pay tax on it?

   The answer can be found on this page.

6. Can I obtain a list of those who won various lotteries?

   Even though Loto-Québec reserves the right to publish the winners' names, addresses and photographs for promotional reasons, the Corporation cannot, under any circumstances, disclose any list of winners directly to the public in accordance with the Loi sur l'accès aux documents des organismes publics et sur la protection des renseignements personnels (L.R.Q., ch. A-2.1).

7. Why does Loto-Québec require us to present a piece of photo ID when we claim a prize of $600 or less at its Montréal or Québec City offices, whereas we don't have to present photo ID if we claim a similar prize at a retailer?

   According to the regulations, prizes payable by retailers are payable to the bearer of the ticket, whereas a winning ticket presented at one of Loto-Québec's payment counters (Montréal or Québec City) is payable to the legitimate owner of the ticket. Therefore, Loto-Québec requires proof of ID to verify the identity of the person claiming to be the owner of the winning ticket.

8. Why are we required to present a piece of ID for a $10 prize?

   The application of this rule serves to protect consumers, irrespective of the amount won.

9. What will happen if we refuse to provide a piece of photo ID?

   Loto-Québec will not pay out any prize prior to receiving and verifying the identity of the person attempting to claim a prize.

10. What do we do if we're claiming a prize at a Loto-Québec office on behalf of the members of our group?

    For prizes of $600 or less, the person claiming the prize on behalf of his or her group must present a piece of photo ID, e.g. health card, driver's license or passport, for each group member, along with the Group Purchase Agreement and prize claim form [PDF Format, 80 Kb, Help], duly completed and signed by each member of the group. For prizes over $600, the person claiming the prize must also ensure that each group member completes and signs the questionnaire found in the new prize claim form. Cheques shall be sent by mail to the members of the group.

11. Why do we have to complete the questionnaire on the new Prize Claim Form?

    The questionnaire consists of only four (4) questions, and allows Loto-Québec to validate certain information concerning the prize claim, as well as to determine the claimant's eligibility to claim the prize.

12. What will happen if we refuse to complete the questionnaire and sign it or if we refuse to present photo ID?

    As of Monday, March 3, 2008, for all prizes over $600, photo ID must be presented, and the questionnaire on the new "Prize Claim Form" must be duly completed before a prize is given out, regardless of the amount.

13. If we claim several small prizes, which together total more than $600, do we still need to complete a questionnaire?

    Yes. In addition to having to present photo ID, the person who claims prizes totalling more than $600 must complete the questionnaire on the new Prize Claim Form, then sign it and submit it to Loto-Québec.

14. How can I claim a prize from a ticket issued in another province?

    Simply follow the instructions on the back of the ticket. For more information, contact the lottery corporation of the province involved.

15. How do I claim a prize?

    The answer can be found on this page.

16. How long do I have to claim a prize for Loto-Québec’s various lotteries?

    The answer can be found on this page.

17. Where to claim a gift won on Cadeau d'été?

    The answer can be found on this page.

18. Who can claim the "life annuity"?

    Only an individual player aged 18 or older who lives in Québec can claim the "life annuity" lottery prize.

19. If a winner should die, can the prize be transferred to the estate?

    Yes. When a winner dies, the annuity is paid to the heirs for a maximum period of 20 years. This means that, if the winner dies within the first 20 years after the prize claim date, the heirs are entitled to the annuity (same payment frequency) for the balance of the 20 years which have not elapsed since the "life annuity" prize claim date. If the winner's death occurs following the first 20 years after the prize claim date, the legal heirs are not entitled to any amount.

    However, where the winner is 71 years of age or older at the time the prize is claimed, the minimum payment period is shorter. In this case, it goes without saying that the winner is entitled to the annuity income. In case of death, the legal heirs can receive the income only until the date that would have been the winner's 91st birthday (Income Tax Act, article 304).