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Winning instant tickets now eligible for Lucke-Rewards points

February 25, 2015 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:48 AM
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As some of you have already discovered, you can now enter winning scratch-off tickets here in the Lucke-Zone for Lucke-Rewards points. Now you can earn points on any lottery ticket.

We started the Lucke-Rewards program as a way to provide more value to your lottery tickets. At no extra cost, you get to enter your tickets into the program and get points that you can use to enter weekly and monthly drawings for cash and other prizes. That’s a nice second-chance for everyone. We’re glad that all lottery tickets are now eligible for the program.

Along with this news, we’d like to share the following. If you win a prize instantly, remember to enter your ticket before claiming your prize. You could also snap a good picture of the rewards code with your cell phone so that you could claim your prize and enter the code later. Stay tuned for more news on Lucke-Rewards.

So, good luck scratching and matching! And from now on, whether you win a prize or not, you’re always going to get your points.


185 COMMENTS

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1/29/2023 03:31 - Linda S.

After I collect points from nc lottery tickets can I save up the reward points and enter them months after collecting the points on my tickets ? NC Lottery
Yes! You can save the points until you are ready to enter the drawing of your choice.

8/26/2017 01:11 - Jacob E.

I had a ticket that was only supposed to pay $10 when I cashed it in it scanned for $250 and I couldn't tell why. It makes me wonder how many other tickets were like this and just how many possible winners I may have thrown out because it didn't appear to be a winner. If I could scan for winners on the app though.... NC Lottery
Good news. We will be releasing a new version of the app later this year that will allow you to scan for a winning ticket.

5/09/2015 08:47 - pamela j.

Any updates on flagging winning tickets upon entry on Lucke Rewards? Again, the system already had the programming in place to recognize a winner....so it would only be an update to that logic? Store clerks do not want to "re-check" your tickets, it takes them too much time when there are other customers in line for other things. Same thing with the machines that check winners--there are not that many out there and I don't want to stand there and check tickets when I can sit at home, key them into the site, and get notified...while I am entering the drawings!! The ones playing the lottery are the ones who make it possible to have a lottery...please put this feature back!!!NC Lottery
We understand your concerns. At this time we don't have any announcement on a system update.

4/09/2015 10:23 - Barbara F.

I would like to know if you are working on flagging winning tickets. It is apparent from these comments that the majority wants it.NC Lottery
The communications team that responds to questions and comments on the Lucke-Zone, as well as senior leadership who reads the blog, are very aware that there are lots of comments that express interest in this. Many people play instant games for the experience of finding out if they win, and that's what we encourage everyone to do, not just scan tickets to find out. It is possible that a flagging feature could come to the Lucke-Zone in the future. In the meantime, please check carefully! :-)

3/27/2015 09:10 - Gregory H.

How do you set up your smart phone to enter tickets into lucke-zoneNC Lottery
Click here to learn more about where to download the Lucke-Zone App: http://bit.ly/1EJtGGI

3/21/2015 09:31 - Elizabeth P.

Can someone from the NC Lottery explain to me why you have 3 million dollar winners from the same county and then some man winning the top prize twice from the same area. There has to be someone in charge who distributes the tickets and it needs to be distributed fairly among all the counties. Really makes me want to quit playing when you so many winners from the same areas.NC Lottery
It's just luck of the draw. There's no telling where winning tickets will show up. If you tell us where you're from, we'll share some info about winners from your area.

3/15/2015 01:30 - Gerald B.

If I had to give up something, I would give up receiving Lucke-Rewards points for winning tickets. Entering tickets in lucke-rewards gave me confirmation if I had a winning ticket or not especially with the complicated Crossword games. I know you can scan them at the stores but I have to wait in line to give it to the person and I prefer to recycle my losers vs. tossing them in the trash at the store.

3/14/2015 08:03 - PHYLLIS S.

I entered a ticket I didn't think was a winning ticket a couple of years ago and the computer wouldn't accept it and after checking again I saw it was a $1000.00 ticket! You need to change your new way of entering tickets so this never happens to someone else otherwise that $1000.00 would go right back to the nc state lottery and that's wrong I bought the ticket and I should be entitled to the money, I have always used the second chance drawing to double check my tickets.

3/14/2015 11:42 - Craig W.

I'm confused.. people are saying they have to scan 100 or more tickets each time and limit of 70 per day. Can someone explain to me.. are you actually buying 100 or more scratch off tickets? how are you reaching the limit per day as well. Sorry I am just confused. I have been entering second chance drawings for a year or so now, but never read the comments. I just buy a ticket or 2 every now and then and enter them whenever I feel like it. Am I wasting my time with a measly single ticket entry every once in a while? Thanks all..NC Lottery
Using points to get even one entry into a drawing gives you a chance to win a prize :-)

3/13/2015 11:35 - Greg K.

Glad I am not the only one that accidentally overlooked winning tickets. I also used this to double check tickets since I have a large stack of losing tickets. On at least 10 occasions I have come across tickets that said they could not be entered and forced me to double check. It should be an easy fix for whoever designed the app to make it play the music the registers play when a winning ticket is entered.

3/11/2015 06:49 - Lenora L.

Hey people. A LOT of places have it so you can scan the tickets to see if it's a winner. You can check them at the vending machines too. I personally like getting more points. Anyway, I was wanting to know if people are having a hard time loading the app. I open it and it seems like to is loading forever. Waiting 5 minutes before. Have closed it and reopened it and it just keeps loading and loading. I have an iphone6.

3/11/2015 02:53 - John D.

For those who have trouble scanning tickets I have found a way it scans every time and quick. Get a 12oz jar of JIFF peanut butter and set it on the counter. Place your phone on jar top with the camera towards the counter. Place your ticket on the counter under the camera. Works great. Holding the camera and the ticket would take a while for it to lock in but when the camera and the ticket are held still it works great.

3/10/2015 06:01 - howard r w.

since your customers play the lottery to win I would think that when you enter a ticket in the rewards program and finding the ticket is not a loser but is a winner would be a good thing and good for business I can't see any way that removing this benefit from the program benefits anyone but the NCEL.

3/09/2015 06:28 - kelly l.

I can't see any big benefit to being able to enter winning tickets for points. I would much rather have the fail safe check to be sure I'm not discarding a winner. Please put something in this system that alerts you to a winning ticket!

3/08/2015 08:01 - John W.

Love it! I really enjoy 'playing' Lucke-Rewards, glad I can do it with all my tickets now!

3/08/2015 04:54 - howard r w.

please continue to protest the new policy of allowing all tickets without the system showing that you may be entering a winning ticket so players are not discarding un cashed winning tickets. if the protests do not continues the NCEL will have an excuse for not correcting this problem

3/08/2015 03:10 - sheila s.

very discouraged I put over 4,000 entries in to win on the wednesday drawing I have not heard whether I won How many entries does someone have to enter!

3/06/2015 04:49 - LaTonya A.

I also agree with others because I did not know that you could enter winning and non winning tickets. It was the way that I checked Bingo scratch offs when I did not feel like scratching all areas off. Now I realize I purchased tickets weeks last week that I assumed were not winners and tossed them in the trash and they could have been winners. Can you change the system where it will alert you if it is a winner. NC Lottery
Thanks for feedback. We have heard a lot of folks who feel the same way you do. We will look into it, but it won't be a quick fix. Thanks for playing out games.

3/04/2015 10:02 - Steven L.

I agree with all the other people who have said, that there now needs to be a fail safe for winning tickets, that you are entering. Years back, when you first started lucky zone. I entered some old tickets, I got points for them because they were still active. But, since it was a winning ticket, it said not recognized, and looked back at it was, I had won $20. Great, off a $10 ticket. But, also, on !2/23, I bought a $20.00, $200 Million ticket, and didn't think I won. But, when, I tried to use the ticket for lucky zone. Again it said, not recognized. THANK GOD. IT was a $400.00 ticket. And if lucky zone didn't tell me, not recognized, I would have just igonored it, so, please NCLOTTERY, it's just a computer thing. Help us out. If you look at my points I can use to enter other promotions, it is in the $**,*** area, and I am sure their are others with a lot more. So, help us out, NCLOTTERY.

3/04/2015 09:23 - Lorie r.

mark is right

3/04/2015 08:53 - Teresa G.

Purchased instant tickets on 3/4/15. System would not accept winning tickets issued on !st Tuesday. Is there a glitch in the system?NC Lottery
There was an issue with the new $1 and $2 tickets that came out on Tuesday, but that issue has been resolved; if you experience any difficulty with the app, please click on the HELP link at the top of the Lucke-Zone and submit an Online Support form. Thank you!!

3/03/2015 02:30 - Robert R.

there is 1 good thing about this... entering a winning ticket doesn't count as a mistake anymore. remember , 500 mistakes gets you locked out! or has this changed too ?NC Lottery
That has not changed.

3/03/2015 07:52 - Mark M.

Even though your website wasn't designed to notify players that a ticket you thought was a looser was actually a winner, many of us have learned to rely on in this way. To change it so that it sounds like it is a benefit to the players is not being truthful. This sounds like a story that one of the local TV news networks would like to hear about.

3/02/2015 08:47 - Shawn J.

Is the all or nothing drawing live on tv anywhere? Since the game started there have only been 2 winners. I'm starting to think it's rigged. If there are only 24 balls, why not have the drawing the old fashioned way? This would be to easy and transparent. If computers can rig elections they can rig the lottery.NC Lottery
We've had four $250,000-winning All or Nothing tickets since the game began, one of them was Sunday night. We use a certified random number generator to conduct the drawings, always under the supervision of an auditor, according to strict security procedures.

3/02/2015 06:54 - Robert R.

why have the 75 a day limit ? please.. it's time to make it unlimited !

3/02/2015 06:49 - Robert R.

heres an easy fix for the problem... but it would have to be work in as old tickets are sold off... the computer that prints the tickets know its printing a winner, why not print "winner" beside that number we have to scratch to reveal.

3/02/2015 06:07 - howard r w.

Sometimes when you buy something you actually get a little more than you expected. Case in point is that when entering tickets for the second chance drawings the message would make the player re-check the entry and discoverit actually was a winning ticket. This is a feature that your players obviously enjoyed & just because it was intended as a benefit of the program is no reason that it should be discontinued.

3/02/2015 05:08 - James S.

Just went back a pretty good bit in "older posts" and can't help but notice that the #of comments to this subject are at least double to triple any other story. We are all on the same page as players. Please get on board NCEL?

3/02/2015 04:57 - James S.

How come when I read my posts it start with "player said"? Others have their screen name to identify to themselves and the community who they are. Thanks in advance for response.....StrickJ76NC Lottery
When you registered for the Lucke-Zone, if you don't choose your own screen name, it defaults to PLAYER. You are welcome to click on your username link at the top of the screen and change your screen name :-)

3/02/2015 04:53 - James S.

On a technical level, how hard would it be to do an indicator for winning tickets? New $20 scratch off comes out tmrw and I would REALLY like to get back to playing but I'm very stubborn. Have gone from $200 a day avg on scratch offs to $0...... Sucks for us both ncel

3/02/2015 07:50 - Robert G.

Hi NCEL..I am trying to understand your 2nd chance drawings. How does your RNG select winners? According to NCEL, the # that is in the email verification is a receipt # and plays no part when selecting 2nd chance winners. So what # does the RNG go against to select winners? Thanks NCEL.NC Lottery
This is a simplified explanation but, basically, starting with the first player who makes an entry, every entry is assigned a number, 1 through... whatever it might be, say 100,000. The RNG is then told to select X numbers between 1 and 100,000 at random. And whatever entries those numbers correspond to are the winning entries. Does that make sense? :)

3/02/2015 07:01 - Teresa T.

Just need to "beat this dead horse" one more time...PLEASE give a notice when a winning scratch off ticket gets entered in the 2ND chance drawing!! It will make nice for all of us who actually spend money on these as opposed to the people that have access to the retailers trash for winning tickets that the purchaser cannot get back!!! THANK YOU!

3/02/2015 06:10 - Delores S.

Several scratch offs are marked as "Ending Soon". When I checked, I saw that the end date is March 6. Is that the last date they can be entered on LZ, or can we continue to enter them until June 4, which is the claim deadline?NC Lottery
Until the claim deadline :)

3/02/2015 02:25 - Tony J.

The Majority has spoken, bring back the auto winning ticket check. I know I have caught at least 500 dollars worth of winning tickets this way.

3/01/2015 10:45 - howard r w.

I have previously suggested to the NCEL that when you have almost entered your allotted number of your tickets for the day that they give you a warning so you know exactly how many entries you have left. For example when you have entered your 70th ticket a message saying you had 5 more entries before you have reached your limit for the day.

3/01/2015 09:19 - cheryl w.

I would like to see more then one person hit the power ball that,s a lot of money maybe let ten family win the money not one family.

3/01/2015 09:18 - Genevieve K.

It is very obvious that individuals that own stores have an advantage to enter more tickets. Maybe if you are a retailer and sell tickets you should not be eligible for drawings? Just a thought!

3/01/2015 09:08 - James H.

Are you going to let retailers know that after we cash in a winning ticket they can give it back to enter into Lucky Rewards?NC Lottery
As we mentioned in the blog, we encourage you to enter the ticket for points before you claim your prize. Retailers have been trained for years to keep winning instant tickets. We can't guarantee that all stores will be willing to adopt a new policy on returning tickets. So our best advice is to take a picture of your LR code or enter it before you claim :)

3/01/2015 07:21 - Ervin A.

this does away with catching a missed prize put it back the way it was........

3/01/2015 04:54 - NC Lottery

@ EVERYONE - Your concerns about the change are being heard and passed along to those at the lottery who work with the third-party vendor who provides the Lucke-Rewards program to us. They read the blog, so they see your questions/concerns and our responses. We appreciate you all as players very much and wish that we could provide an answer that would make everyone happy. In the meantime we will do the best we can to provide information to you when we have it.

3/01/2015 04:24 - bruce s.

JUST TO PUT THIS OUT IN THE OPEN,THE SECOND CHANCE IS NOT AUTOMATICLY ENTERING TICKETS LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO I ENTERED X-THE CASH AND WEEK FOR LIFE NON WINNERS AND DID NOT GET A SECOND CHANCE VERIFICATION LIKE IN THE PAST.SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE SITE I GUESS PLUS SOMEONE HAS THE WRONG DATES ON THE SITE ALSO THAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM.NC Lottery
Thank you for mentioning that there may be an issue with the system; anytime you notice a possible problem, please click on the HELP link at the top of the screen and fill out an Online Support form, so that the technical service people will be aware of it as soon as possible.

3/01/2015 02:37 - DANELLE S.

Folks, folks, folks... PLEASE take the time to look at the list of scratch ticket winners. There is one last name in particular that are obvious store owners that continue to win OVER and OVER and OVER... One of which won 4 $1000 prizes on 4 different games at the same store on the same day. Now come one NCELottery!! There is NO possible way this group of people can continue to win HUNDREDS of times over the past couple of years. Does anyone else not notice this?? What gives, lottery commission???? It is sickening to see this when those of us who use hard earned money to play legit yet certain names and last names continue to win on a weekly basis!!!NC Lottery
We will pass along your comment to our security team.

3/01/2015 02:29 - spencer j.

if i buy a scratch off ticket from another state can i enter it on here or is it just for North CarolinaNC Lottery
Only N.C. Education Lottery tickets are eligible for Lucke-Rewards points here :)

3/01/2015 02:02 - howard r w.

Most of the texts about this change show that many of your loyal players have legitimate concerns about this new policy. The various objections that have been stated are all valid but the replies from the NCEL appear to show little compassion to the issue and an unwillingness to listen to the players.

3/01/2015 02:01 - Christian C.

Ok, I really enjoy the Lucke-Zone drawings but how come we the players don't get the opportunity before entering a drawing to see the odds for each drawing?NC Lottery
Lucke-Rewards drawings are like a raffle, the odds of winning depend entirely on how many entries are made. It's not like Pick 3 or Powerball where the odds of winning a prize are always the same :)

3/01/2015 01:36 - David L.

RE: updating address, I called that # to update my new address, that was over a month ago, it still has not been updated. can someone email me some info on when this will happen.NC Lottery
All you have to do to update your address is click on your username at the top of the Lucke-Zone and change the information there :-)

3/01/2015 12:17 - Robert G.

So when I enter a drawing and get an email from NCEL with a entry #, what significance does the "quantity of entries" play into this when entering a drawing for that entry submitted? For example, I enter a drawing with quantity of 5, how come I only get 1 entry # in the email? Please explain. Thanks NCEL.NC Lottery
The # in the email is a transaction #, like a receipt. Dont worry, if you use points to make 5 entries at once, you get 5 entries :-)

3/01/2015 12:04 - LLoyd K.

What is it you are really trying to say? If I have, say a 10.00 winning ticket and don't know it and enter it in the LZ drawing. Will LZ block the code like before and as I re-check the ticket, I find its a winner. Or do I have to go to any store location and check the entry code on each ticket on the little machine that scans the codes? I noticed several months ago I accidently mixed a winning pick three ticket with some losing tickets and entered it into the 2nd chance drawing. LZ did not block the code like it did on the scratch off's, why not? Only God and you (LZ) know how many winning pick tickets I have thrown away. By not letting us know means you (LZ) have a less pay out margin, good for you but not for us. You should let us know whether or not its a winner on both sections of entering your code numbers on LZ second chance drawings. Or is it as of today, do I need to waste my time by going to the store after entering my numbers on LZ and check them on that machine?

3/01/2015 10:47 - louis c.

Have read your response on identifying winning tickets being submitted. The system currently checks the database for this based on result shown on screen. All that is being asked is a simple check box to show us a winning ticket. With 40 years of experience in IT, I know how simple this should be.

3/01/2015 07:37 - Lisa B.

I'm so ready to win for Shelby NC!!

3/01/2015 07:34 - Angela M.

I really hope that in the future you consider asking the players, poor ones like me who NEVER win, how we feel about changes like this- Personally I think it SUCKS. It was a great feature that found winning tickets when we didn't...I hope you consider removing the ALL tickets feature or maybe adding a line that says Congrats you won $$$ and stating the amount like the machines do at the gas stations. This makes me a sad player :(

3/01/2015 12:45 - jerry g.

still i read your responce also. iam sure we all feel that it possible for nc lottery still add the app to let us know when we have a winning ticket, so dont throw it away. besides that how many winning tickets have been throw away and what happens to the money for those tickets that were winners?

2/28/2015 10:53 - Scott R.

Against the change also. Ive never won anything out of thousands of tickets I have entered over the years. The only reason I would enter them is to double check my tickets. Caught many I would have thrown away. Guess its another way for the lottery to keep more money. No more entering tickets for me.

2/28/2015 10:50 - FRANK M.

My screen name says it all............Cash4Trash! With this new system in effect now allowing all tickets to be entered I bet you there will be big money tickets being tossed out in the trash. I have a suggestion which i'm sure alot of you players would like and agree with me but NC Lottery will NOT like the idea. Example: lets take the 50x the cash ($10.00 Card) lets say when the card time expires and will no longer be sold.....if for some reason that top prize was not claimed ($50,000) Why not make a different drawing using the unclaimed $50,000? You can have 500 lucky winners win $100.00 Each.

2/28/2015 03:28 - Ramon O.

The best rewards program possible would be one that would tell us if the ticket is a winner. Unless the purpose of this change is for there to be more unclaimed tickets. A feature to detect winners cannot be that complicated.

2/28/2015 02:50 - Donald S.

I get the system was not designed to check tickets but it did help . That said a app or cross check method would benefit your luck e rewards players. But it could that the more tickets that go unclaimed the more money the lottery makes so the conveince of a safe secure method of checking tickets at home is unwanted. I mean I have checked draw game tickets by looking at them thought it lost then key in the numbers and it won $2 or $1 a app to scan could check all tickets and the players does not have to be standing at a play station with people standing all around them.

2/28/2015 02:41 - Donald S.

Clerks cant always be trusted ,store scanners are better but at home is much better more safe more private.Find if your ticket won or lost then either take the ticket to the lottery or for smaller prizes back to a store when its not crowed having already checked your ticket knowing your prize so a clerk cant either cheat you or make a error them selves.

2/28/2015 02:38 - Donald S.

I check most all my tickets at home I key in numbers for draw games . I dont want to be a crowded store and find out I won a $200,000 cash5 or that I had 10 pick 3 exact order match.Privacy at home is a safe place is more secure than crowded store. Create a phone app that allows for ticket entry and check for win lose. There needs to be a benefit for luck e rewards memebrs these are your most involved players they play your games buy your tickets read forums enter tickets and offer feedback. Most players just buy tickets and throw them in the trash they dont read forums or offer feedback.

2/28/2015 02:34 - Donald S.

Question Where does the money for 2nd chance come from unclaimed tickets? Come on lottery improve the system for entry of tickets, but also to check scracth tickets at the time of entry for win or lose. Check draw games tickets at entry for win or lose if drawing has occured if not after the drawing has occured alert the player that enter the ticket.

2/28/2015 12:05 - james c.

Thank you for adding the feature of the 'winning tickets ' acceptance on the 'second chance ' entries .

2/28/2015 11:53 - Jackie C.

This feature is NOT an improvement. I am sure players would rather not lose out on a winning ticket than lose the small amount of points that they would be given. Please reconsider this change and go back to the old way until the system is able to identify and alert players when they enter winning tickets. It seems pretty obvious by the number of comments that this is not a welcome change. Thank you.

2/28/2015 11:33 - Jerry B.

So now, The clerks at all the retailers can keep the winning tickets and enter them into luke rewards and have same chance at winning as do the people buying the tickets. Face it, Most tickets never get entered! Seems a bit unfair

2/28/2015 11:12 - Sandra H.

Everyone before if you entered your tickets and may have missed a winner i no i have quite a few times it would'nt except the ticket if it was a winner which i like cause i let mine pile up then enter them lot times i found a winner one time i had a$50 on a scratch off and had missed it some how anyway now when you enter a winner it won't say check youe ticket . Just wanted to let everyone no . Hope you post this Thanks Sandy

2/28/2015 10:15 - carolyn b.

OMG SOME OF THESE COMMENTS LOL.... MAKES YOU THINK DUH......

2/28/2015 08:30 - Jacquelyn C.

I am sure there is a way to have a verification link to check tickets.

2/28/2015 07:52 - robert charles s.

I agree with others that are asking for a notification of some sort if you are entering in a WINNING ticket!

2/28/2015 12:28 - Jennie P.

LuckeZone - I love this game and I'm not going to stop playing, but I do feel you've gotta bend here a little. If you're not going to fix the website to tell us that we have a winner -- fix the scanning machines in the stores and make them able to handle unlimited scans, or at least a higher number! It's my understanding that after 200-300 tickets are scanned, the machine freaks out and alerts someone at NCEL, who ends up calling the store to find out what's going on. If you live in a heavily populated area, like I do, chances are good that by the time you get around to going to your regular store to scan your tickets, the scanner has already reached its limit for the day. Of course, we have the option of going to a different store - but how many of us have time to go from store to store until all of our tickets are scanned?

2/27/2015 09:18 - James S.

also would like to add, I really enjoy and appreciate the luckezone site. I have thousands of unused points and have entered many drawing in the past. I was actually lucky enough that I won one of the original "tv viewing package" so, for me its all still in fun. just refuse to spend more $ till this feature is returned. if a flag is chosen im fine with that or is you just put it back like it was I think would make EVERYONE happy. please listen to us players so we can continue to enjoy our over all experience

2/27/2015 08:09 - William D.

Really sounds like a politician is answering everybody's concern. NOT the answer we are looking for sounds more like an excuse to not do what is right.

2/27/2015 07:47 - spencer j.

Im getting married soon i sure would like to win so i can have some extra money for the honeymoon

2/27/2015 06:13 - robert g.

I no that wasn't the purpose but its going to be a lot of wining tickets thrown away.Please figure out a prize indicator

2/27/2015 04:38 - marilyn m.

I am also against the change because this will not improve you chance of winning

2/27/2015 04:25 - lisa p.

More losers this week. Nothng is winning anymore in cabarrus county. Print some winners if you want to continue selling tickets.

2/27/2015 02:47 - Dennis C.

chris28411, I was the one you are talking about. I was entering my tickets prior to scratching them as I didn't know it was a problem then, That was when it first started. I was investigated all over town. A co-worker was buying tickets at lunch and the lottery investigator asked if he knew me, he said "I work with him!" It was insulting and embarrassing. I was treated like a criminal and now they are inviting me to use my cell phone to take photos of my winners. Good lord.

2/27/2015 02:40 - Shawn V.

You claim the system was not intended to do this but regardless that is what it exactly did, (indicate the ticket invalid because it was a winner), because it wouldn't allow a winning ticket entry (among invalid tickets for incorrect or double entry), so in essence the system did actually check for a winning ticket and allow a person to enter a non-winner only. Your system is extensive and the program was already built to check for a winner ticket and allow it to not be entered, therefore it would be fairly easy to program and to set an alert to notify the LZ person that it is a winning ticket they just entered, as well as the ticket being entered is valid (for second chance), as well as the ticket being entered is not a winner (double, etc.) I think the lottery needs to remember the people and system work for the state, therefore if consumers want this feature, you should be able to justify and add it (since it was already there in the first place).

2/27/2015 02:11 - Kenneth F.

No reason they can't fix this - I didn't want to buy into the conspiracy theory at first - but now I agree - the lottery will benefit from this change - not the players - shame on you NCEL

2/27/2015 01:50 - Debbie M.

On 2/27/2015 11:34, Lucke-Zone said: ". . . While we hear those of you who say that you don't like it because you use the system to check for winning tickets, the communications team did share your feedback with the Rewards program managers. They told us that the ticket entry system was never meant to serve that purpose. We know that not everyone will be happy with changes . . ." Although the ticket entry system was never meant to serve that purpose, it can. Make everyone happy . . . with technology today, I'm sure there IS a way to tell you that you have entered a winning ticket. Come on now . . . give us a winning indicator. Love the Lucke-Zone/Lucke- Rewards program, though. Thanks!

2/27/2015 01:49 - Tina S.

I dont like this , there needs to be some sort if a notifaction on all tickets enter into the system if they are a winner. I cant check all my tickets at a scanner in a store. I dont have time. Come up with a app to scan tickets in for points plus check for win or lose.

2/27/2015 01:47 - Lee T.

Needs to be a way to scan the numbers instead of manually typing in numbers. App for smartphone.

2/27/2015 01:21 - Lorie r.

jhow.....talk about WoW...this person is right....looks like people is upset over this,i can not blame them..

2/27/2015 01:09 - James H.

Thanks for the reply, but millions more tickets in the system does not improve the odds of winning for anybody. The overall odds will stay the same. It does, however, mean a large sum of money will go unclaimed. Money that will go back to the NCSL, not to the individuals who bought the winning tickets. I think this change is a mistake, regardless of it's intentions.

2/27/2015 12:54 - Chris S.

I may have missed it but I didn't see anyone post that they use it to check for winning tickets, although a couple mentioned the crossword puzzles which can be confusing. I do remember one poster from long ago saying they had been locked out because that's what they were doing. But, it should be fairly simple to correct this where a winner is flagged. I among many, many others have had the fortune to enter a ticket only to discover it was a winner. It's easy to miss and I'm not sure why a simple programming entry can't be included,

2/27/2015 12:34 - NC Lottery

ANOTHER NOTE: Remember, guys, that the lottery wants as many players as possible to have winning experiences... that's what Lucke-Rewards is all about. We don't want prizes to go unclaimed and, when they do, half of that money goes to education and the other half goes back into the prize pool for players to have the chance to win again. The lottery's goal is to be popular with players so that we can meet our mission for the state of North Carolina. We understand from your comments that many of you have been using the system to double-check yourselves on winning tickets, but that is not the purpose the system was intended for, and we encourage everyone to scratch off their ticket to find out if they win or not before entering it for points. Good luck!

2/27/2015 12:21 - James S.

There is no way this is a benefit to players. If I scratch a ticket at a convenience store that is say a $20 winner. Am I to take that winner home and get it registered before cashing it? Makes no scence! Like I said in my earlier post... I have several hundred losers to register. Now I will have to one at a time check them BEFORE I start reg again. During that several weeks it takes me to do that I just won't purchase any new tickets. If the "benefit" of leaving the system this way offsets the several thousand a month I spend on scratch offs then leave it that way.... Sure seams to only make the lottery happy to have the system set up this way. I enjoy playing and won't argue the point but all can control is how I play and how much I chose to spend. Good luck to all players. Looks like it's ok to make our odds even worse with little "tricks" like this.

2/27/2015 12:14 - James H.

Thanks for the reply, but millions more tickets in the system does not improve the odds of winning for anybody. The overall odds will stay the same. It does, however, mean a large sum of money will go unclaimed. Money that will go back to the NCSL, not to the individuals who bought the winning tickets. I think this change is a mistake, regardless of it's intentions.

2/27/2015 12:06 - jason r.

i have points....i want money...there is more that is against this change, that is for this change...all we asked is to get an alert that says u win along with the points...just like the red words that tell us invalid entry...it cant be that hard..

2/27/2015 12:03 - Donald S.

ok so I read your response adding more eligible ticket for entry but how about a notifcation that a ticket any ticket is a winner. Or come up with a app so tickets can be scanned into lukezone rewards for points but also check if a ticket is a winner or losing . As for checking tickets in stores I do check some of my tickets in stores but I dont stand around in stores checking tickets the store may be busy and I dont have time to stand around checking more than just a few tickets if I have several tickets I have more time when Im at home to check the tickets.

2/27/2015 11:34 - NC Lottery

RE: ALL TICKETS ELIGIBLE FOR POINTS - Sorry for the delay in our response as we were short-staffed due to the weather conditions. The addition of winning tickets to Lucke-Rewards is meant to provide players with an additional benefit. It means millions more tickets are eligible for points. While we hear those of you who say that you don't like it because you use the system to check for winning tickets, the communications team did share your feedback with the Rewards program managers. They told us that the ticket entry system was never meant to serve that purpose. We know that not everyone will be happy with changes, but we are trying to give you the best rewards program possible, and adding millions more tickets to the mix is part of that effort.

2/27/2015 10:57 - James H.

I'm with all the others. Not happy to see this change with the ticket entries. I hope the NCLS acknowledges this with some type of reply.

2/27/2015 10:06 - jason r.

they want you to just throw away your winners more money for them...just curious,did that many people ask for this change?by all the responses made by all us players who spend the money i think i was right.that i'm not alone by a long shot when i say let us keep our winners,do away with this HORRIBLE decision you have made by letting us enter our winners..

2/27/2015 09:17 - Dennis C.

Ok thanks. Now, give just an indicator of a winning ticket and you will have perfected Lucky Zone after much growing pains.

2/27/2015 03:33 - WILLIAM G.

I say if you can't make a way for you to know you have entered a winning ticket go back to the old system.

2/27/2015 02:12 - Kimberly M.

I know Karma is letting lucke-zone rewards know that after all I have been through with a smile on my face that I deserve this win to do some good in this life of mine and for those I Love! I need education money from the education lottery please

2/27/2015 12:28 - Charles T.

I agree with Broughtonk comment on 2-25-2015 "This is good in a way- but I loved the feature of the system catching when I was entering a winner before. This prevented me several times from throwing away a ticket I thought was a loser. Perhaps there could be some indicator to tell you when you entered a winner or something like tha? The old way would prevent you from throwing away a winning ticket but now how do you know you are throwing away a winner"? Is it possible for the lottery to create a app that you can check your ticket by scanning it on line?

2/27/2015 12:26 - Clinton W.

I used this because I a have limited eye sight , h Kept me from throwing away many winners, I could magnify the entry numbers, guess I will stop playing until provide away to indicate your winning ticket. I once would have thrown away a $1,000 winner.

2/26/2015 11:34 - Glenn J.

One time, almost threw away a winner. Keying in 2nd chance caught it & saved me $$$. PLEASE come up with a way to 'double check' if we enter a winning ticket. Otherwise, new way of entering ALL tickets is AWEsome.

2/26/2015 11:00 - William D.

so I know this is being monitored. Really would be nice if someone would acknowledge what everybody is saying about the alert for winning tickets.

2/26/2015 10:28 - clarence l.

I've been playing the Lucky rewards since it's inception, never won anything, frankly a waste of time !!

2/26/2015 10:23 - Rena R.

Hi, Good luck!

2/26/2015 10:11 - Barbara F.

I agree with the first comment. I love that when I enter my numbers it can catch a winning ticket that I overlooked. Please don't change the ability to do that!

2/26/2015 10:07 - Shonna P.

I agree that we need some way to point out the winners. I almost threw out a $1000 ticket but the system let me know it was not recognized... After that, I always doubled checked with this system. I have found a few smaller amounts as well! NC Lottery
The Lucke-Zone was never meant to be a ticket checker. There are 4,000 ticket scanners in stores all over the state, and of course you can ask any clerk to scan your tickets for you. Thanks for playing and best of luck!

2/26/2015 09:35 - Jeffery T.

I also want to throw in a comment about a "winner notification". It was a nice assurance that you didn't miss something. I would also like an app to be able to scan the tickets instead of typing all of the codes.

2/26/2015 08:53 - Tallie H.

On a unrelated issue, has anyone else here received an email claiming to come from the north carolina education lottery about completing a survey for a 100 Lucke rewards points? I don't want to click on any of the links until I can confirm it is legitimate.NC Lottery
We are working with an independent company to learn more from players. So you can feel comfortable clicking on the link and participating :-)

2/26/2015 08:47 - Kirk C.

Need a big winner, about to give up!

2/26/2015 08:37 - Jennifer F.

I agree with several other posters - when I went to enter a ticket I thought was a "loser", I was actually met with the surprise of the ticket not being accepted and learning it was a winner!

2/26/2015 08:17 - Jeff F.

Yea it looks like I may need to change my "Regular Routine" of checking my scratch off ticket from now on.. going in tonight and scan my 100 and more ticket so I don't throw a good ticket away!.. Ps. I found 1 that I missed by over looking at it, it was worth $10.oo another good one almost in the trash with all others!

2/26/2015 08:16 - Katina W.

Hi, I just love this!! I never have much luck with scratch off but I pray with this second chance I really get a second chance at winning something...Thanks

2/26/2015 08:10 - KYM B.

Me too! Please find a way to let us know if the ticket is a winner. Something that pops up and says, "WINNING TICKET, CLAIM YOUR PRIZE".

2/26/2015 07:26 - Shanta I.

I just hope and pray that someday I win something

2/26/2015 06:59 - Geraldine J.

I'm still hopeful.I can use some luck haven't had much since the lottery started.No stores in my area has had a big winner since the lottery started either.It's time for something to happen.keeping my fingers and toes crossed.Lol.

2/26/2015 06:58 - paul h.

Were is the reply to winning ticket concerns?

2/26/2015 06:18 - Mary V.

I don't like this feature!! When you entered a "winning" ticket it would reject it. Now when you enter a winning ticket, you don't get the notification anymore. I guess this is a way for the lottery commission to make more $$, huh? Not all lottery players are able to stand at a scanner and scan their tickets!! And the crossword and bingo scratch offs can be confusing. Bring back the feature that lets you know the ticket is a WINNER please. You may lose a lot of elderly players if you don't.

2/26/2015 06:05 - shannon r.

the majority has spoken....PLEASE let us know when our tickets are winners..or just reject them like they use to....please

2/26/2015 05:34 - Jennie P.

It's great that we can enter winning tickets now, but I have the same concerns as everyone else - I still want the system to alert me when I've entered a winner! It can be easy to miss a winner sometimes! Also - NCEL, please let retailers know that we can now enter winning tickets! A lot of retailers won't let you keep your winners!

2/26/2015 04:46 - palmer h.

on a five $ scratch-off 1.4.07 approximate win.I buy eight straight. don't win nothing on a ten $ scratch-off 1.3.47 approximate win. I buy five don't win nothing .Some time eight straight nothing/ I think fraud

2/26/2015 04:42 - shirley b.

Time for a trip and quad NC.

2/26/2015 04:34 - Brian S.

I don't believe one bit that this is a benefit for the players. Every ticket that is mistaken as a loser is that much more the state gets to extract from the Mark, er I mean the player.

2/26/2015 03:53 - wayne m.

Would rather computer tell me my ticket is a winner if I try to put one in. I know you will make more money,but would be nice if you helped out your loyal customers.

2/26/2015 03:21 - pamela r.

hope i can win this not much luck with scratch-offs

2/26/2015 02:55 - Ann J.

hi

2/26/2015 02:22 - Donald S.

Theres really needs to be a alert to luckezone players with scratch tickets that the ticket they just enter was a winner and the same goes for draw games if the draw has already occured.If the ticket was enter into luckezone prior to the drawning but once the ticket is a winner again a alert to the player the ticket give the serial number they entered was a winner , much like the noteifcations you get when you log in if you have saved favorite numbers.

2/26/2015 02:16 - shameka l.

Just wondering, Do the points rollover from month to month?NC Lottery
They do. They're your points to use when you like :-)

2/26/2015 02:11 - david c.

I also agree need an alert to show it is a winning ticket have been saved from throwing away winners several times

2/26/2015 01:38 - jim h.

good job guys love all the improvements

2/26/2015 12:58 - wayne m.

You only did this so it won't catch winning tickets and you can keep the money from overlooked winners.

2/26/2015 12:45 - Jeff F.

To: JUSTABOB the system will not let you know if you have a winning ticket or not cause it happen to me for sure! Last night after logging in my tickets i went to the store and checked my 75 tickets & found out I had missed a winning hand of a $10.oo ticket that would have been added to my losing pile of other tickets! So beware of throwing you winning tickets away! But on the other hand once ou cash that ticket the sales person will not give it back once its cashed! they just throw it away on there side!

2/26/2015 12:34 - Rob N.

I also like the feature of catching a winning ticket that I might have over looked. Help!!!!

2/26/2015 11:34 - Carla K.

It's discouraging to know that if you enter 20,000 points and don't win anything. Also some of the cashiers at the stores keep the tickets and have more of a chance of winning. I know someone who won $2,500 because she has access to the non-winning tickets. I'm also curious to know how many entries some of the winners had to have in order to win.

2/26/2015 11:27 - kimmy h.

Now there will be more winning scratch offs thrown away not unless you take them and have them scanned at the store

2/26/2015 11:20 - Janice V.

Why do some ticket entries say "Entry not recognized" It happens on several tickets, ie mega , all or nothing, and I am never over the 75 per day limit. Have double checked the numbers- putting them in correctlyNC Lottery
Please click on the "HELP" link at the top of the screen and submit an Online Support request form.

2/26/2015 11:13 - constance a.

I still would like to know if I have a winning ticket

2/26/2015 11:11 - Ryann W.

ok

2/26/2015 11:09 - Kenneth F.

Thanks for others mentioning that we need to know when a winner has been entered. Perhaps the lottery folks will help bring this back.

2/26/2015 10:56 - Leslie B.

I agree BROUGHTONK...

2/26/2015 09:59 - anna w.

I am ready to win to i have entered over 45,000 and not won yet i see the same names winning all the time how do you know if you win please let me know frustrated on how this really works!NC Lottery
There are about half a million Lucke-Zone members, and often hundreds of thousands of entries in a particular drawing. The more entries you make, the more chances you have to win. But there is never a guarantee with games of chance. We don't want you to be frustrated; we hope you will enjoy playing for fun knowing it takes lots of luck to win!

2/26/2015 09:55 - joshua f.

Win win

2/26/2015 09:51 - Lisa B.

I like to no also if there was winners how many times did they enter the drawings I thank that is a good idea from other comment above. So when the winner names are posted please put how many entries did they submit. Thanks!!

2/26/2015 09:19 - robert t.

I also like the old way, when it would let you know if the ticket was a winner, change is not always good!!!!

2/26/2015 09:11 - Rebecca L.

I still think an app for your phone to let you scan the ticket like they can do at retailers would be cool - easy to check to see if the ticket is a winner, easier to enter your ticket for Lucke Rewards. Yes, please.

2/26/2015 08:57 - jason r.

i have got 317 entries into the racing tickets drawing this month and 310 into the money monthly drawing.10,000 points just in this month alone,PLEASE BE KIND AND DRAW MY NAME/NUMBER!!way over due

2/26/2015 08:04 - donna g.

Nic to know you have another chance to win

2/26/2015 07:37 - Chris S.

I agree with several of the posters here. An alert that you have a winning ticket would be great. It appears several of us and I'm sure many more have inadvertently tried typing in a winning ticket by accident.

2/26/2015 07:28 - Chester W.

I agree with the first comment. It warns me of a winning ticket which I thought was a loser. Need a feature saying already cashed or take to clerk. Thnx.

2/26/2015 05:59 - Crystal M.

In a way this is good but in a way it's not. When it was only the non winning tickets it prevent me from throwing away four tickets (100.00) total. What I would like to see is an increase in the number of tickets you can enter per day. 75 is greater than 30 but no restriction would be better. Why is there a restriction anyway?

2/26/2015 05:52 - dale c.

ready to win!

2/26/2015 03:29 - THOMAS D.

Great idea nothing wrong with a second chance

2/26/2015 02:57 - Emma R.

I love it people can still have a cha nce to win

2/26/2015 01:12 - Stephanie S.

hope I'm a winner soon

2/26/2015 12:52 - Forrest H.

I agree with 'BROUGHTONK' , can you add an indicator that lets you know when you have entered a winning ticket? I only started entering tickets for lucke rewards as a way to check my scratchoffs for winners I may have missed

2/25/2015 11:36 - Carie D.

I also think there should be a way to tell you if the ticket is a winner..

2/25/2015 10:28 - Raven D.

Can tickets purchased from 5+ years ago be entered in also to get points? I know previously it wouldn't accept some of the older tickets.NC Lottery
Tickets are only eligible for Lucke-Rewards points until the claim deadline for that game. So, no, tickets from 5+ years ago are not eligible.

2/25/2015 10:17 - nathaniel s.

I would like for the system to alert me if I enter a winning ticket

2/25/2015 09:59 - Kellie G.

Please reply NCEL. I always check my tickets well but I have missed a winner on crosswords before. Will it tell me I'm a winner if I happen to put in a winning ticket as opposed to the way it use to be where it use to say it's an incorrect or Erin's entry?

2/25/2015 09:27 - Kayla B.

When you enter your ticket in and get your points then put them in a drawing how do you know you have won or not?

2/25/2015 09:09 - William M.

I too would like to keep the winning ticket notice.

2/25/2015 09:09 - Marvin C.

This gives you hope!!

2/25/2015 08:59 - Robert R.

Great, more points to enter. I hope you add the ability to check for winning scratch-offs as we enter the tickets. I would hate to throw away a winner by accident, and it can take time to check them in a busy store.

2/25/2015 08:42 - John D.

i agree with broughtonk we need to know if the ticket is a winner. sometimes i miss that winner and i find it when entering it. i like that piece of mind that i wasn't throwing away a winner.

2/25/2015 08:34 - Mike S.

Please incorporate a flag of some sort for winning scratch-off tickets while entering for second chance points ! I too have missed many winning scratch-off tickets only to be saved by the 'Entry not recognized" pop-up feature.

2/25/2015 08:23 - Betty K.

So if I enter a ticket that is a winner will it pop up with the red message to let me know it either a winning ticket or I put the numbers in wrong.

2/25/2015 08:12 - Chris A.

I would like to add since you all made this change, why is there a limit on the number of tickets I can enter in a day. I would like to think the sky is the limit, since I spend all this money on losing tickets at least let me enter them at will.

2/25/2015 08:10 - james w.

this is good but still like to know when ticket is a winner.

2/25/2015 08:03 - Chris A.

I agree we must have some indication that the ticket is a winning, because this is how I use to check my crossword tickets and those bingo tickets. Just use the same code you all had to flag the tickets in the first place just display "WINNER".

2/25/2015 07:59 - Elizabeth W.

How do I enter the 5x cash scratch off for second chance?NC Lottery
When you enter a ticket here in the Lucke-Zone, you will automatically get your rewards points - and be entered into any specific promotional drawing associated with that ticket :-)

2/25/2015 07:40 - Leroy W.

I have spent over 20,000 points and never win any way

2/25/2015 07:32 - Jenette G.

I am glad to get a second chance at winning something.

2/25/2015 06:46 - Teena C.

Yes, I would also like a notice to let you know it's a winning ticket. Is that possible?

2/25/2015 06:32 - ELIZABETH F.

If it is a winning ticket maybe it would show $ amount of ticket won and then you would not thrown it away by accident. I really think that there should be a way to enter on lucky zone and ticket show what amount is if 0 of top prize.

2/25/2015 06:18 - Lucille O.

Awsome!!!

2/25/2015 05:45 - Leroy T.

that's good news

2/25/2015 05:27 - Demarcus G.

This is a win lose situation. I liked the idea of keying in a ticket and finding out it was winner, now I will have to seriously quadruple check the tickets. But being able to add more points using winning tickets is a plus

2/25/2015 05:26 - allen l.

give me moor I love it

2/25/2015 04:43 - Christopher S.

I also wish they could indicate if the tickets is a winner. I used this system to be doubly sure I was not throwing away a winning ticket. I caught several tickets this way, that i would have other wise thrown away. I also wish they could make a smartphone app that could scan the tickets bar-code instead of having to enter all these numbers manually.

2/25/2015 04:35 - William D.

I feel like the first comment. I liked the winning ticket not being able to register because they won and I have saved myself from throwing it away 4 or 5 times in the past 2 months. would like to see some kind of alert that would tell you that you have entered a winning ticket and remind you to cash it in.

2/25/2015 04:28 - Mae C.

I have mistakenly entered a winning ticket before, and the system detected that it was a winner. Hope there will be a way to catch this in the future.

2/25/2015 04:05 - LaShada L.

I like that because it gives the people that did not win a chance to still win something if there names are drawn

2/25/2015 03:51 - carlton s.

I liked yhat feature also

2/25/2015 03:30 - mark d.

My time to win

2/25/2015 03:04 - Viniedor C.

SHOW THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES THE WINNER'S ENTERED!!

2/25/2015 03:03 - Grenda B.

How can I claim tickets that I brought, not winners but cannot be enter in the second chance drawing?NC Lottery
All lottery tickets are now eligible for Lucke-Rewards points.

2/25/2015 03:00 - Nora P.

wonderful

2/25/2015 01:14 - Lillie H.

yes i think that,s a good thing.maybe i,ll win something.

2/25/2015 12:54 - Ralph F.

Hey this needs to be updated to all retailers ASAP my 400 dollar winner was taken because I could "cheat" ALOT of retailers keep the tickets that you win on how can we put them in on luckerewards if they are always taken some of the biggest ones are food lion murphys kangaroo and hessNC Lottery
If you win a prize instantly, remember to enter your ticket before claiming your prize. You could also snap a good picture of the rewards code with your cell phone so that you could claim your prize and enter the code later.

2/25/2015 12:50 - Mary Ellen D.

Nice, I never knew that

2/25/2015 12:33 - Kenneth F.

This is good in a way- but I loved the feature of the system catching when I was entering a winner before. This prevented me several times from throwing away a ticket I thought was a loser. Perhaps there could be some indicator to tell you when you entered a winner or something like that?

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