FLORIDA LOTTO®

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE LOTTERY

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

53ER20-42FLORIDA LOTTO®

SUMMARY: This emergency rule sets forth the provisions for the conduct of the Draw game, FLORIDA LOTTO®, and modifies provisions of Rule 53ER18-1 identified during a rule review conducted in connection with the Florida Lottery’s launch of the new Florida Lottery Mobile Convenience App.

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: 

53ER20-42 FLORIDA LOTTO®.

(1) How to Play FLORIDA LOTTO®.

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

(b) For purposes of this rule, a “play slip” is defined as an original paper play slip issued and approved by the Florida Lottery for the FLORIDA LOTTO game, or a digital play slip for the FLORIDA LOTTO game generated using the Florida Lottery Mobile Convenience App (“App”). Except where necessary herein to differentiate between a paper play slip and a digital play slip, the term “play slip” shall be inclusive of both types of play slips.

(c) Players may make their FLORIDA LOTTO ticket selections by: using a play slip; using a Florida Lottery vending machine (“vending machine”), if a vending machine for Draw game ticket purchases is available at the retailer location; by telling the retailer their desired selections; or by requesting to use the Play it Again feature.

(d) Play Slip.

1. Paper play slip. There are ten panels on a paper FLORIDA LOTTO play slip. Each panel played will cost $1.00 per drawing. Players may mark their desired numbers on the play slip by selecting six 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 or more of the six 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. Players may play EZmatch™ by marking the EZmatch box located at the top of each panel. EZmatch costs an additional $1.00 per play. Marking the EZmatch box within a panel will add EZmatch to only the panel marked. Each panel played with EZmatch will print on a separate ticket. Players may choose the XTRA option for an additional $1.00 per play. Players may choose the XTRA option by marking the “XTRA” box on the play slip and will apply to all panels and selections marked. 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. Paper play slips must be Florida Lottery approved and players must use only blue or black ink or pencil for making selections. Paper play slips may be processed through a Florida Lottery vending machine or processed by a retailer to obtain a ticket.

2. Digital Play Slip. How to Create a Digital Play Slip. From the Landing Page on the App, a player should select the FLORIDA LOTTO game icon and then click on “Pick Numbers.” For each panel played, the player should either select his or her numbers from a field of numbers described in paragraph (1)(a) or use the “Random Numbers” or “Shake to Play” feature for the App to provide the player random numbers. Up to ten panels may be created on one digital play slip. The player must also select the number of drawings, if more than the default of one drawing is desired. The parameters for advance play are set forth in paragraph (1)(e) below. If a player desires to add EZmatch to all panels played, he or she should click the “EZmatch” button so that “yes” is selected. Each panel played will include EZmatch and will print on a separate ticket. If the player desires to add XTRA to all panels played, he or she should click the “XTRA” button so that “yes” is selected. If the player desires to add Jackpot Combo play as further described in subparagraph (1)(d)1. above, the player should click the “Add Jackpot Combo” button so that “yes” is selected. Players may also use the “My Favorites” feature to save a digital play slip for later use. Once a digital play slip is created and the player clicks “Create Playslip,” a barcode will be displayed. The player may present the barcode appearing on his or her mobile device to the retailer to purchase a ticket through the retailer terminal or may use the barcode to purchase a ticket through a vending machine that provides for Draw game purchases. Illustrative instructions for creating a FLORIDA LOTTO digital play slip are available by clicking on the How to Play button on the main FLORIDA LOTTO page.

(e) Advance Play. Players may play up to fifty-two consecutive FLORIDA LOTTO drawings by using the “advance play” option. To use the advance play option, players may either select the number of drawings on the 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 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 Florida Lottery’s website at flalottery.com.

(f) Vending Machine. If a vending machine is available at a retailer location and the vending machine provides for Draw game purchases, the vending machine may be used by a player to process both paper and digital FLORIDA LOTTO play slips.

(g) Telling the Retailer. Retailers also are authorized to manually enter numbers selected by a player. Players electing to make their FLORIDA LOTTO ticket selections by telling the retailer must specify their desired number selections (or tell the retailer they desire to use the Quick Pick feature for the terminal to randomly select one or more of the numbers) and the number of drawings. Players may also tell the retailer if they would like to add EZmatch or XTRA to their ticket.

(h) Play it Again.

1. A player may request to “Play it Again” to replay a previously purchased FLORIDA LOTTO ticket. If requested, a retailer shall process the original ticket provided by the player and print a new ticket which will have the same selected numbers, number of panels, and number of drawings as the original ticket, except as provided in subparagraph (1)(h)2., below. Additionally, if the original ticket contains additional play feature(s) (i.e., EZmatch,  XTRA), the new ticket will also contain the same play feature(s).

2. An original ticket with advance play will be rejected and cannot be replayed if the number of drawings on the ticket exceeds the number of advance play drawings that are available at the time of requested ticket replay due to implementation of an advance play countdown for the FLORIDA LOTTO game. Tickets older than sixty days cannot be replayed. Tickets purchased using the Play it Again feature have the same cancellation provisions as the original ticket.

(2) FLORIDA LOTTO Drawings.

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

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

(c) Six (balls will be selected in the drawing. The numbers shown on the six 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 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 (“FLORIDA LOTTO Prize Pool”). 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 of the FLORIDA LOTTO Prize 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 of the 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 of the FLORIDA LOTTO Prize Pool for the drawing. The second prize pool shall be divided equally among the players matching five of the six 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 of the FLORIDA LOTTO Prize Pool for the drawing. The third prize pool shall be divided equally among the players matching four of the six 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 of the FLORIDA LOTTO Prize Pool for the drawing. The fourth prize pool shall be divided equally among the players matching three of the six 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 described in subsection (5). 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 payments, 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 payments, 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 for an additional $1.00 per play. FLORIDA LOTTO tickets that contain the XTRA option and one or more plays eligible for FLORIDA LOTTO prizes shall entitle the holder to a total prize calculated by multiplying each FLORIDA LOTTO prize other than the Jackpot prize, the fourth prize and the fifth prize by the XTRA number for the applicable drawing. The FLORIDA LOTTO Jackpot is not eligible for multiplication under the XTRA option. The multiplier for a FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA fourth prize will always be 5 regardless of the multiplier selected in a drawing. A 2 of 6 prize (fifth prize) is only available with the XTRA option and is a set prize, as further described in paragraph (6)(c) below, regardless of the multiplier selected in a drawing.

(b) FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA tickets that match three of the six official winning numbers (fourth prize) shall entitle the holder to a prize of a guaranteed minimum of $25.  

(c) FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA tickets that match two of the six official winning numbers (fifth prize) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

      (f) All XTRA prizes shall be paid in single, lump-sum payments determined by multiplying the applicable FLORIDA LOTTO prizes by the number selected in the XTRA drawing. The estimated, guaranteed and set XTRA prizes are 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

(g) 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)(e), above.  

(7) FLORIDA LOTTO Odds of Winning.

The odds of winning the prizes described in subsection (4) and paragraph (6)(c) 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 XTRA plays only – 1:8.58

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

(8) How to Play FLORIDA LOTTO with EZmatch.

(a) EZmatch is an instant-win option associated with FLORIDA LOTTO that costs $1.00 per play in addition to the cost of the FLORIDA LOTTO ticket. The EZmatch option can be added on to a FLORIDA LOTTO or FLORIDA LOTTO with XTRA play.

(b) A player selecting EZmatch will receive six EZmatch numbers printed below the FLORIDA LOTTO numbers on the ticket. If any of the EZmatch numbers matches any of the FLORIDA LOTTO numbers, the player will instantly win the corresponding prize shown.

(c) The EZmatch option is available with an advance play FLORIDA LOTTO ticket purchase for one play only and is not a part of FLORIDA LOTTO plays for future drawings.

(d) If an EZmatch prize is redeemed before one or more FLORIDA LOTTO drawing(s) have occurred, the player will be provided a continuation ticket that will have the same drawing or drawings and the same FLORIDA LOTTO numbers that were printed on the original ticket.

(e) EZmatch is not included in a Jackpot Combo play and cannot be added to a Jackpot Combo play. However, EZmatch can be added to one or more panels played on a FLORIDA LOTTO play slip in which the Jackpot Combo box is also selected. In such case, the Jackpot Combo tickets and the FLORIDA LOTTO with EZmatch ticket or tickets will print separately.

(f) The base prize structure and estimated odds of winning EZmatch are as follows:

Prize	Winners in     420,000 (Per Pool)	Estimated Odds
$500	5	1:84,000.00
$250	5	1:84,000.00
$100	38	1:11,052.63
$50	124	1:3,387.10
$20	300	1:1,400.00
$15	470	1:893.62
$10	4,200	1:100.00
$5	1,400	1:300.00
$4	7,000	1:60.00
$3	30,800	1:13.64
$2	44,800	1:9.38
Overall		1:4.71

 

The EZmatch prize structure will be replenished automatically when the top tier prizes are exhausted. The prize structure and odds of winning are subject to change with promotional offerings. In such an event, the promotional prize structure and odds will be available at flalottery.com, Lottery district offices and retailer locations.

(g) EZmatch prizes can be claimed up to one hundred eighty days from the first draw date on the FLORIDA LOTTO ticket. 

(h) If an EZmatch prize is claimed after the FLORIDA LOTTO drawing has occurred and prior to the 180-day expiration described in paragraph (8)(g), above, the EZmatch prize or prizes and any FLORIDA LOTTO and XTRA prizes won will be combined and paid as one prize amount.

(9) 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 days after the winning draw date to choose between the two payment options. In order to select the Cash Option, the Jackpot winner must submit his or her ticket for payment within sixty days after the winning draw date. If the Jackpot winner does not elect the Cash Option within sixty days after the winning draw date, the Annual Payment option will be applied, except as provided in paragraph (9)(f) below. Once the Jackpot winner files a claim and exercises the winner's chosen option, the election of that option shall be final. The Annual Payment method of payment will also be final when it is applied due to a Jackpot winner not making his or her payment election within sixty days after the winning draw date. 

(c) A Jackpot winner who chooses the Cash Option will receive one lump sum cash payment of the amount required on the prize determination day to purchase securities to fund the Jackpot prize paid over thirty 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 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 annual payments, 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 payments, 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 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 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 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 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.

(10) 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 gaming system availability, FLORIDA LOTTO tickets are available for purchase daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 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 hours after printing, except that no FLORIDA LOTTO ticket shall be canceled after game close for the related drawing. Tickets in Jackpot Combo play cannot be canceled. FLORIDA LOTTO tickets with EZmatch cannot be canceled. The two-hour cancellation period may be reduced due to the selling retailer’s hours of business operation; the selling retailer’s hours of business operation; the cut off time for daily sales (12:00 midnight ET) gaming system availability; or the time of the related FLORIDA LOTTO close of game for the related drawing. Ticket cancellations cannot be processed through a vending machine. If a player desires to cancel a cancelable ticket purchased through a vending machine, the player must present the ticket to the retailer where the ticket was purchased for processing within the timeframe described above.

(f) It is the player’s responsibility to make sure his or her ticket(s) are printed exactly as requested before leaving the retailer, including verifying the number of ticket(s) printed, and to determine the accuracy of selected panels of numbers, play amounts, play features, and draw date(s) on a ticket. 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 a cancelable ticket.

(11) This emergency rule replaces Emergency Rule 53ER18-1, F.A.C.

(12) The effective date of this rule is June 26, 2020.

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 6-26-20, Replaces 53ER18-1.

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: June 26, 2020.