53ER11-37. PLAY 4 ™ (Replaced by 53ER12-23)

(1) How to Play PLAY 4™.

(a) PLAY 4 is a lottery on-line game in which a player must select any two (2)- or four (4)-digit number from 0000 through 9999 inclusive. The digits may be the same or different; for example, 1111, 1212, and 1348 are all valid selections.

(b) Players may choose play amounts of $.50 or $1.00 per play, per drawing, for a total of $.50, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00, $6.00, $12.00, or $24.00, depending upon the play type selected and number of combinations covered.

(c) Players may make their PLAY 4 ticket selections by marking a play slip or by telling the retailer their desired selections.

1. There are five panels on a play slip. Players electing to use a play slip to make their PLAY 4 ticket selections must mark the play type, draw time, play amount, and number selection (or mark the “Quick Pick” box located at the bottom of each panel for the terminal to randomly select one (1) or more of the numbers) for each panel played. If the draw time is not marked, the ticket will automatically be entered into the next available draw. 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 mark the $5 “Quick Picks” box to receive five (5) $1.00 tickets each with one (1) set of four (4) randomly selected numbers (straight play) for the next PLAY 4 drawing, or may mark the $10 “Quick Picks” box to receive ten (10) $1.00 tickets, each with one (1) set of four (4) randomly selected numbers (straight play) for the next available PLAY 4 drawing. Players may mark Quick Picks in addition to panel plays.

Players must use only blue or black ink or pencil for making selections. Play slips must be processed by a retailer in order to obtain a ticket.

2. Players electing to make their PLAY 4 ticket selections by telling the retailer may specify the play type, draw time, play amount, and their desired number selections (or tell the retailer they desire to use the quick pick feature for the terminal to randomly select one (1) or more of the numbers). The terminal defaults to a $1.00 straight play for the next available draw if the play type, play amount, and draw time are not specified by the player in conjunction with the selection of the quick pick feature.

(d) A player who selects the combo play type and who elects to use the quick pick feature will not be able to select the total cost of the ticket. The total cost will be determined by whether the quick pick numbers selected by the terminal comprise a 4-way combo, 6-way combo, 12-way combo, or 24-way combo play type as described below.

(e) A player who selects the box play type or the straight/box play type and who elects to use the quick pick feature will not be able to select the type of box play. The type of box play will be determined by whether the quick pick numbers selected by the terminal comprise a 4-way box, 6-way box, 12-way box, or 24-way box combination as described in paragraph (1)(g) below.

(f) Players may play future consecutive midday, evening, or both drawings within a fourteen (14)-day period or non-consecutive drawings within a seven (7)-day period by using the “advance play” feature. To use the advance play feature, players may either mark the play slip or tell the retailer the advance play selections and draw times they desire. For purposes of this paragraph (1)(f), both a fourteen (14)-day and a seven (7)-day period begin on the date of the next available PLAY 4 drawing for the draw time selected and continue through the next thirteen (13)/six (6) consecutive days for the draw time selected. The advance play options are described more fully in subparagraphs 1. and 2. below.

1. Advance Play by Play Slip. Advance play selections made on a play slip are for consecutive drawings for the draw time(s) selected only. Players shall mark the number of consecutive drawings in the “Days” section and the desired draw time(s) in the “Draw Time” section of the play slip. The number of consecutive drawings marked will include the next available drawing for the draw time(s) selected and will apply to each panel (A-E) played. Advance play does not apply to Quick Picks.

a. If the midday (MID) box is selected, the ticket will be entered into the next available midday draw and consecutive midday draws through the selected number of days.

b. If the evening (EVE) box is selected, the ticket will be entered into the next available evening draw and consecutive evening draws through the selected number of days.

c. If the both (BOTH) box is selected, the ticket will be entered into the next available draw and consecutive midday and evening draws through the selected number of days.

2. Advance Play by Telling the Retailer. Players shall specify to the retailer their desired selections in one (1) of the following advance play parameters:

a. Any single day for the draw time(s) selected in a seven (7)-day period;

b. Any two (2) non-consecutive days for the draw time(s) selected in a seven (7)-day period;

c. Any two (2) or more consecutive days for the draw time(s) selected in a seven (7)-day period, not including the next available drawing.

d. Up to fourteen (14) consecutive days for the draw times selected, including the next available drawing.

(g) PLAY 4 can be played and won as follows:

1. “Straight” play. In a straight play, if a player’s digits are drawn in the exact order as they were chosen by the player, the player wins $2,500 for a 50-cent play or $5,000 for a $1.00 play.

2. “Box” play. A box play allows a player to win if the player’s selections are drawn in any order.

a. A “4-way box” is a play in which the player has selected a number with three (3) identical digits. Therefore, the play involves four (4) combinations; for example, a 1112 box covers the combinations 1112, 1121, 1211 and 2111, and pays a winner $599 for a 50-cent play or $1,198 for a $1.00 play.

b. A “6-way box” is a play in which the player has selected a number with pairs of two (2) unique digits. Therefore, the play involves six (6) combinations; for example, a 1122 box covers the combinations 1122, 1212, 1221, 2112, 2121, and 2211, and pays a winner $400 for a 50-cent play or $800 for a $1.00 play.

c. A “12-way box” is a play in which the player has selected a number with two (2) identical digits. Therefore, the play involves twelve (12) combinations; for example, a 1123 box covers the combinations 1123, 1132, 1213, 1231, 1312, 1321, 2113, 2131, 2311, 3112, 3121, and 3211, and pays a winner $200 for a 50-cent play or $400 for a $1.00 play.

d. A “24-way box” is a play in which the player has selected a number with four (4) unique digits. Therefore, the play involves twenty-four (24) combinations; for example, a 1234 box covers the combinations 1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 1423, 1432, 2134, 2143, 2314, 2341, 2413, 2431, 3124, 3142, 3214, 3241, 3412, 3421, 4123, 4132, 4213, 4231, 4312, and 4321, and pays a winner $100 for a 50-cent play or $200 for a $1.00 play.

3. “Straight and Box” play. A straight and box play combines a 50-cent straight play and a 50-cent box play for a $1.00 play.

a. A “Straight and 4-way box” play pays a winner $3,099 if a player’s digits are drawn in the exact order as printed on the player’s ticket, or $599 if the player’s digits are drawn in any other order.

b. A “Straight and 6-way box” play pays a winner $2,900 if a player’s digits are drawn in the exact order as printed on the player’s ticket, or $400 if the player’s digits are drawn in any other order.

c. A “Straight and 12-way box” play pays a winner $2,700 if a player’s digits are drawn in the exact order as printed on the player’s ticket, or $200 if the player’s digits are drawn in any other order.

d. A “Straight and 24-way box” play pays a winner $2,600 if a player’s digits are drawn in the exact order as printed on the player’s ticket, or $100 if the player’s digits are drawn in any other order.

4. “Combo” play. A combo is a play covering all straight combinations of a four (4)-digit number and will cost $2.00 to $24.00 depending upon the amount played (50 cents or $1.00) and the number of like digits in the four (4)-digit number selected.

a. A “4-way combo” is a play in which the player has selected a number with three (3) identical digits. The 4-way combo is comprised of four (4) straight play combinations; for example, a 1112 4-way combo covers the combinations 1112, 1121, 1211, and 2111 and pays a winner $2,500 for a $2.00 play or $5,000 for a $4.00 play.

b. A “6-way combo” is a play in which the player has selected a number with two (2) pairs of unique digits. The 6-way combo is comprised of six (6) straight play combinations; for example, a 1122 6-way combo covers the combinations 1122,1212, 1221, 2112, 2121, and 2211, and pays a winner $2,500 for a $3.00 play or $5,000 for a $6.00 play.

c. A “12-way combo” is a play in which the player has selected a number with two (2) identical digits. The 12-way combo is comprised of twelve (12) straight play combinations; for example, a 1123 12-way combo covers combinations 1123, 1132, 1213, 1231, 1312, 1321, 2113, 2131, 2311, 3112, 3121, and 3211, and pays a winner $2,500 for a $6.00 play or $5,000 for a $12.00 play.

d. A “24-way combo” is a play in which the player has selected a number with four (4) unique digits. The 24-way combo is comprised of twenty-four (24) straight play combinations; for example, a 1234 24-way combo covers the combinations 1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 1423, 1432, 2134, 2143, 2314, 2341, 2413, 2431, 3124, 3142, 3214, 3241, 3412, 3421, 4123, 4132, 4213, 4231, 4312, and 4321, and pays a winner $2,500 for a $12.00 play or $5,000 for a $24.00 play.

5. “Front Pair” play. A front pair play allows a player to select only two (2) digits and pays $25.00 for a 50-cent play or $50.00 for a $1.00 play if the two (2) digits as printed on the ticket match, in exact order, the first two (2) numbers drawn by the Lottery.

6. “Mid Pair” play. A mid pair play allows a player to select only two (2) digits and pays $25.00 for a 50-cent play or $50.00 for a $1.00 play if the two (2) digits as printed on the ticket match, in exact order, the middle two (2) numbers drawn by the Lottery.

7. “Back Pair” play. A back pair play allows a player to select only two (2) digits and pays $25.00 for a 50-cent play or $50.00 for a $1.00 play if the two (2) digits as printed on the ticket match, in exact order, the last two (2) numbers drawn by the Lottery.

(h) On occasion, increases in the prize amounts set forth in paragraph (1)(g) above will be offered for promotional purposes. 

(i) A liability limit of $5 million is established for PLAY 4. When the play of a particular four digit number for a drawing reaches the Lottery’s PLAY 4 liability limit of $5 million, no further ticket sales for any type of play that would involve that four digit number will be allowed for that drawing.

(2) PLAY 4 Drawings.

(a) PLAY 4 drawings are conducted twice daily.

(b) PLAY 4 drawings shall be public and witnessed by an accountant employed by an independent certified public accounting firm (“Accountant”) who shall certify to the integrity, security, and fairness of each drawing.

(c) The equipment (ball set(s) and drawing machine(s)) used in a PLAY 4 drawing shall be determined by random selection and shall be inspected by an employee of the Florida Lottery’s Security Division (“Draw Manager”) and the Accountant before and after each drawing.

(d) The equipment shall be configured so that one ball is drawn from each of four units of balls numbered zero through nine.

(e) Once the ball set(s) has been selected and inspected, the selected drawing machine(s) shall be loaded by the Draw Manager, and the ball set(s) mixed by the action of an air blower.

(f) Four balls shall be drawn by vacuum action, one each into four separate display devices. The numbers shown on the four balls, after certification by the Draw Manager and the Accountant, shall be the official winning numbers for the drawing.

(g) In the event a malfunction in the drawing procedures occurs or the drawing equipment malfunctions, the Florida Lottery shall use such substitute procedures as are fair and effective to perform the drawing. Such substitute procedures shall be determined in consultation with the Accountant referred to in paragraph (2)(b). In using such substitute procedures the Florida Lottery shall strive to maintain the highest level of public confidence, security and integrity.

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

(3) PLAY 4 Odds of Winning.

The odds of winning in PLAY 4 are as follows:

(a) Straight1 in 10,000

(b) Box 4-Way1 in 2,500

(c) Box 6-Way1 in 1,666.67

(d) Box 12-Way1 in 833.33

(e) Box 24-Way1 in 416.67

(f) Straight/ Box 4-Way1 in 10,000 and 1 in 2,500

(g) Straight/ Box 6-Way1 in 10,000 and 1 in 1,666.67

(h) Straight/ Box 12-Way1 in 10,000 and 1 in 833.33

(i) Straight/ Box 24-Way1 in 10,000 and 1 in 416.67

(j) Combo 4-Way1 in 2,500

(k) Combo 6-Way1 in 1,666.67

(l) Combo 12-Way1 in 833.33

(m) Combo 24-Way1 in 416.67

(n) Front Pair 1 in 100

(o) Middle Pair1 in 100

(p) Back Pair 1 in 100.

(4) PLAY 4 Rules and Prohibitions.

(a) By purchasing a PLAY 4 ticket a player agrees to comply with and abide by all rules and regulations of the Florida Lottery.

(b) PLAY 4 prize payments shall be made in accordance with rules of the Florida Lottery governing payment of prizes.

(c) Tickets shall not be purchased by or sold to persons under the age of eighteen (18).

(d) Subject to a retailer’s hours of operation and on-line system availability, PLAY 4 lottery tickets are available for purchase daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and midnight, Eastern Time (ET).

(e) The scheduled time for the daily PLAY 4 drawing is approximately 1:30 p.m. (ET) for the midday draw and 7:57 p.m. (ET), for the evening draw. Ticket sales for a specific PLAY 4 drawing will close approximately ten (10) minutes prior to that drawing. Any ticket sold after the close of game will be printed with the next available PLAY 4 draw date and time unless the player specifies another PLAY 4 draw date and time within the selection parameters.

(f) Retailer cancellations of PLAY 4 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 PLAY 4 ticket shall be cancelled after close of game for the related drawing. The two (2)-hour ticket cancellation period may be reduced due to the selling retailer’s hours of business operation, the hours of on-line system availability, or the time of the related PLAY 4 close of game.

(g) It is the responsibility of the player to determine the accuracy of the selected panels of numbers, draw date(s), draw time(s) and play types 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 a player, 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 a player by the “quick pick” method of number selection.

(5) This emergency rule replaces 53ER08-31, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 24.105(2), 24.105(9)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), 24.109(1), 24.115(1) FS. Law Implemented 24.105(2), 24.105(9)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), 24.115(1), 24.116(1), 24.117(2), 24.124(1) FS. History–New 7-14-11, Replaces 53ER08-31, F.A.C.