FLORIDA LOTTO®

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE LOTTERY

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

53ER17-71FLORIDA LOTTO®

SUMMARY: This emergency rule sets forth the provisions for the conduct of FLORIDA LOTTO®. This emergency rule replaces Emergency Rule 53ER17-39.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Diane Schmidt, Legal Analyst, Department of the Lottery, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399‑4011.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

 

53ER17-71 FLORIDA LOTTO®.

(1) How to Play FLORIDA LOTTO®.

(a) FLORIDA LOTTO is a Draw lottery game (also known as an online terminal lottery game) in which players select six (6) numbers from a field of one (1) to fifty-three (53).

(b) Players may make their FLORIDA LOTTO ticket selections by marking a play slip or by telling the retailer their desired selections. There are ten (10) panels on a play slip. Each panel played will cost $1.00 per drawing. Players may mark their desired numbers on the play slip by selecting six (6) numbers from each panel played, or may mark the “QP” box located at the bottom of each panel for the terminal to randomly select one (1) or more of the six (6) numbers.  A “Void” box is also located at the bottom of each panel and should be marked by the player if an error was made in his or her selections in a panel.

(c) Play slips must be Florida Lottery approved and players must use only blue or black ink or pencil for making selections. The use of mechanical, electronic, computer generated or any other non-manual method of marking play slips is prohibited. Play slips may be processed through a Florida Lottery vending machine or processed by a retailer to obtain a ticket. Retailers are authorized to manually enter numbers selected by a player.

(d) Players may play up to fifty-two (52) consecutive FLORIDA LOTTO drawings by using the “advance play” feature.  To use the advance play feature, players may either mark the number of drawings desired in the Advance Play section of a play slip or tell the retailer their desired number of consecutive advance drawings. The number of consecutive advance drawings selected shall apply to each panel (A-J) played. Advance play is not available with Jackpot Combo. In the event that a planned change in the FLORIDA LOTTO game requires that the number of advance plays available for purchase be reduced to zero before implementation of the change, an advance play countdown schedule will be posted on the Lottery’s website, flalottery.com.

(e) Players may elect to play “Jackpot Combo” to receive three (3) Quick Pick tickets for the next available drawing consisting of one (1) $2.00 FLORIDA LOTTO® with XTRA ticket, one (1) $2.00 POWERBALL® ticket and one (1) $2.00 MEGA MILLIONS® ticket by marking the “Jackpot Combo $6” box on the play slip or by telling the retailer. Tickets in Jackpot Combo play cannot be player selected and cannot be canceled.

(2) FLORIDA LOTTO Drawings.

(a) FLORIDA LOTTO drawings shall be conducted twice per week, on Wednesday and Saturday.

(b) The equipment shall be configured so that six (6) balls are drawn from one (1) set of balls numbered one (1) through fifty-three (53).

(c) Six (6) balls will be selected in the drawing. The numbers shown on the six (6) balls, after certification by the Draw Manager and the Accountant, are the official winning numbers for the drawing.

(d) The Florida Lottery shall not be responsible for incorrect circulation, publication or broadcast of the official winning numbers.

(3) FLORIDA LOTTO Prize Divisions.

(a) FLORIDA LOTTO is a pari-mutuel game. For each drawing, 50 percent (50%) of net sales (gross sales less cancels and free tickets) from the sale of FLORIDA LOTTO tickets in the corresponding FLORIDA LOTTO sales period shall be allocated as the winning pool for the payment of prizes as provided below. The value of the FLORIDA LOTTO portion of a FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA ticket awarded as a prize or given for free in a promotion shall be deducted from FLORIDA LOTTO gross sales in all reports, and the value of the XTRA portion of a FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA ticket awarded as a prize or given for free in a promotion shall be deducted from XTRA gross sales in all reports.

(b) The Jackpot prize pool shall consist of 63.5 percent (63.5%) of the Lotto pool for the drawing, plus any Jackpot money carried forward from the previous drawings. The Jackpot prize shall be divided equally among the players matching all six official winning numbers. If there is no Jackpot winner in a drawing, the Jackpot pool shall be carried over and added to the Jackpot pool of the next FLORIDA LOTTO drawing.

(c) The second prize pool shall consist of 12.3 percent (12.3%) of the Lotto pool for the drawing. The second prize pool shall be divided equally among the players matching five (5) of the six (6) official winning numbers. If there is no winner in the second prize category for a drawing, the second prize pool shall be carried over and added to the Jackpot prize pool of the next FLORIDA LOTTO drawing.

(d) The third prize pool shall consist of 10 percent (10%) of the Lotto pool for the drawing. The third prize pool shall be divided equally among the players matching four (4) of the six (6) official winning numbers. If there is no winner in the third prize category for a drawing, the third prize pool shall be carried over and added to the Jackpot prize pool of the next FLORIDA LOTTO drawing.

(e) The fourth prize pool shall consist of 14.2 percent (14.2%) of the Lotto pool for the drawing. The fourth prize pool shall be divided equally among the players matching three (3) of the six (6) official winning numbers. If there is no winner in the fourth prize category for a drawing, the fourth prize pool shall be carried over and added to the Jackpot prize pool of the next FLORIDA LOTTO drawing.

(f) The Jackpot prize will pay the guaranteed dollar amount.  The second, third and fourth prizes will be rounded down to the nearest fifty cents ($.50); provided, however, that the fourth prize shall be no less than $5.00. All rounding differences in the second, third and fourth prizes shall be used to fund future prizes in Lottery games or for special Lottery prize promotions. If the funds available for the payment of fourth prizes are insufficient to pay the minimum amount, the percentage described in paragraph (3)(a) above will be adjusted or funds available from any other funding source approved by the Legislature will be used to cover the prize liability.

(4) Determination of Prize Winners.

In order for a ticket to be a winning ticket, numbers appearing in a single horizontal row on the ticket (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, or J) must match the official winning FLORIDA LOTTO numbers in any order for the draw date for which the ticket was purchased. The prizes are set forth as follows:

(a) Jackpot Prize(s): Six of six official winning numbers.

(b) Second Prize: Five of six official winning numbers.

(c) Third Prize: Four of six official winning numbers.

(d) Fourth Prize: Three of six official winning numbers.

(5) FLORIDA LOTTO Guaranteed Jackpot.

(a) For each drawing the Lottery will announce a guaranteed deferred payment value of the Jackpot that can be won by a single player, based upon the estimated cash value of the Jackpot pool determined by projected and historical sales figures, current interest rates, and funds from rollovers, if any.

(b) For prizes to be paid in annual installments, if the cash available in the Jackpot pool is insufficient at the time the ticket is claimed to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot value over the designated deferred payment period, the Lottery shall add to the Jackpot pool funds available from any other funding source approved by the Legislature to render it sufficient to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot.

(c) For prizes to be paid in annual installments, if the cash available in the Jackpot pool is more than sufficient at the time the ticket is claimed to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot value over the designated deferred payment period, the excess funds will be used for future prizes in Lottery games or for special Lottery prize promotions.

(d) The guaranteed cash option value of the Jackpot will be the amount required on the day of the drawing or, if the drawing is held on a Saturday or holiday, the business day prior to the drawing, to purchase securities to fund the announced guaranteed deferred payment value of the Jackpot. This day shall be referred to as the “prize determination day.”

(e) For prizes to be paid in a single cash payment, if the cash available in the Jackpot pool is less than the cash option value of the Jackpot determined on the prize determination day, the Lottery shall add to the Jackpot pool funds available from any other funding source approved by the Legislature sufficient to pay the cash option value of the Jackpot.

(f) For prizes to be paid in a single cash payment, if the cash available in the Jackpot pool is more than the cash option value of the Jackpot determined on the prize determination day, the excess funds will be used for future prizes in Lottery games or for special Lottery prize promotions.

(6)  FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA Option.

(a)  The FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA option shall be available in association with the FLORIDA LOTTO game. FLORIDA LOTTO tickets that contain the XTRA option and one or more plays eligible for FLORIDA LOTTO prizes shall be entitled to a total prize calculated by multiplying each FLORIDA LOTTO prize other than the Jackpot prize and the 2-of-6 prize described in paragraph (6)(d) below by the XTRA number for the applicable drawing. The FLORIDA LOTTO Jackpot and the 2-of-6 prize will not be eligible for multiplication under the XTRA option.

(b)  At the time of purchasing a FLORIDA LOTTO ticket, a player may choose the XTRA option for an additional $1 per play for each play on the FLORIDA LOTTO ticket. The XTRA option will apply to all panels and selections marked on the play slip. The prize pool for XTRA prizes shall be funded by LOTTO with XTRA ticket sales.  If the funds available from XTRA ticket sales are insufficient to pay all XTRA prizes, the percentage described in paragraph (3)(a) above will be adjusted or funds available from any other funding source approved by the Legislature will be used to cover the prize liability.

(c)  Prior to each FLORIDA LOTTO drawing, the Lottery shall conduct an XTRA drawing to select the XTRA number from among the following series of numbers: 2, 3, 4, and 5.  The odds of a particular XTRA number being selected in an XTRA drawing are 1:4. During special promotions, the Lottery will announce XTRA numbers that are higher than the foregoing series of numbers.

(d) FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA tickets that match 2 of 6 winning numbers shall entitle the holder to a prize of a free FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA quick pick ticket for the next available FLORIDA LOTTO drawing. FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA tickets generated as a prize cannot be canceled.

(e) All XTRA prizes shall be paid in single, lump-sum payments determined by multiplying the FLORIDA LOTTO prize by the number selected in the XTRA drawing as follows:

FLORIDA LOTTO		XTRA Estimated Prizes
Match	Prize	X2 (Odds 1:4)	X3 (Odds 1:4)	X4 (Odds 1:4)	X5 (Odds 1:4)
6 of 6	Jackpot (Guaranteed)	__	__	__	__
5 of 6	$5,000 (Estimated)	$10,000	$15,000	$20,000	$25,000
4 of 6	$70 (Estimated)	$140	$210	$280	$350
3 of 6	$5 (Guaranteed minimum)	$25 (Guaranteed minimum)	$25 (Guaranteed minimum)	$25 (Guaranteed minimum)	$25 (Guaranteed minimum)
2 of 6	N/A	Free Ticket	Free Ticket	Free Ticket	Free Ticket

(f) On occasion, the Florida Lottery will conduct promotions in which specified prize levels of FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA tickets will be designated to have a higher multiplier number than the number drawn pursuant to paragraph (6)(c), above.

(7) FLORIDA LOTTO Odds of Winning.

The odds of winning the prizes described in subsection (4) and paragraph (6)(d) are as follows:

(a) Jackpot Prize – 1:22,957,480.

(b) Second Prize – 1:81,409.50.

(c) Third Prize – 1:1,415.82.

(d) Fourth Prize – 1:70.79.

(e) Fifth Prize for LOTTO EXTRA plays only – 1:8.58

(f) The overall odds of winning a prize in a FLORIDA LOTTO drawing with a LOTTO ticket without the XTRA feature are 1:67.36. The overall odds of winning a prize in a FLORIDA LOTTO drawing with a LOTTO with XTRA ticket are 1:7.61.

(8) FLORIDA LOTTO Payment Options.

(a) Players have a choice of two payment options for receiving their portion of a FLORIDA LOTTO Jackpot prize. Payment options are “Cash Option” and “Annual Payment.”

(b) Jackpot winners have sixty (60) days after the winning draw date to choose between the two (2) payment options. Once a Jackpot winner files a claim and exercises the winner's chosen option, the election of that option shall be final. In order to select the Cash Option, the Jackpot winner must submit his or her ticket for payment within sixty (60) days after the winning draw date. If the Jackpot winner does not elect the Cash Option within sixty (60) days after the winning draw date, the Annual Payment option will be applied, except as provided in paragraph (8)(f) below.

(c) A Jackpot winner who chooses the Cash Option will receive one (1) lump sum cash payment of the amount required on the prize determination day to purchase securities to fund the Jackpot prize paid over thirty (30) years, less applicable withholding taxes. The amount of the Cash Option payment to multiple Jackpot winners will be the amount required on the prize determination day to purchase securities to fund their pro rata share of the Jackpot prize paid over thirty (30) years, less applicable withholding taxes.

(d) If a Jackpot prize winner elects the Annual Payment option, his or her portion of the Jackpot prize will be paid in thirty (30) annual installments, each less applicable withholding taxes.

(e) If the prize amount per winner in a FLORIDA LOTTO drawing cannot be paid in increments of $1,000 in thirty (30) installments, the winner’s share of the prize pool will be invested in U.S. Treasury securities that will yield the maximum amount possible over thirty (30) years as can be reached in increments of $1,000.  If the amount the investment will yield is less than the announced guaranteed Jackpot, the present value of the difference between the amount the investment will yield and the winner’s guaranteed prize amount over thirty (30) years will be paid to the winner in the first payment.

(f) If the number of winners of a Jackpot prize would result in each person’s prize being less than $1,000,000 if paid over thirty (30) years, the Lottery shall pay the Jackpot winner or winners in a single cash payment of the amount required on the prize determination day to purchase securities to fund the winner’s pro rata share of the Jackpot paid over thirty (30) years, less applicable withholding taxes.

(g) Federal income taxes shall be applied and withheld from the prize amount at the time payment is made.

(h) Any interest or earnings accrued on a FLORIDA LOTTO Jackpot prize prior to the prize payment, under either the Cash Option or the Annual Payment option, shall accrue to the State of Florida and not to the winner.

(9) FLORIDA LOTTO Rules and Prohibitions.

(a) By purchasing a FLORIDA LOTTO ticket, a player agrees to comply with and abide by all rules of the Florida Lottery.

(b) FLORIDA LOTTO prize payments shall be made in accordance with rules of the Florida Lottery governing payment of prizes. A copy of the current rule can be obtained from the Florida Lottery, Office of the General Counsel, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4011.

(c) Subject to a retailer’s hours of operation and online system availability, FLORIDA LOTTO tickets are available for purchase daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and midnight Eastern Time (ET).

(d) The scheduled time for the Wednesday and Saturday FLORIDA LOTTO drawings is approximately 11:15 p.m., ET. Ticket sales for a specific FLORIDA LOTTO drawing will close at approximately 10:40 p.m., ET. Any ticket sold after the close of game will be printed with the next FLORIDA LOTTO draw date.

(e) Retailer cancellations of FLORIDA LOTTO tickets can only be performed by the retailer who sold the ticket, using the selling terminal’s optical mark reader, and within two (2) hours after printing, except that no FLORIDA LOTTO ticket shall be canceled after game close for the related drawing.  The two (2) hour cancellation period may be reduced due to the selling retailer’s hours of business operation, the hours of online system availability, or the time of the related FLORIDA LOTTO close of game.

(f) It is the responsibility of the player to determine the accuracy of selected panels of numbers, wager amounts and draw date(s) on tickets. In the event that a ticket given to the player by the retailer contains selections that are not consistent with the player's selections, it shall be the responsibility of the player to immediately advise the retailer of that fact.  In such event and upon request of the player within the time period specified herein, the retailer shall make a good faith effort to cancel the ticket. A retailer is not required to cancel a ticket produced upon request of the player by the quick pick method of number selection.

(10) The effective date of this rule is October 28, 2017.

Rulemaking Authority 24.105(9)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), 24.109(1), 24.115(1) FS. Law Implemented 24.105 (9)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), 24.115(1), 24.124(1) FS. History— New 10-28-17, Replaces 53ER17-39.

 

THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10-28-17.