Sec. 36.02.06.06. Procedure for Authorized Claiming Locations

A. An authorized claiming location shall provide, free of charge:

(1) The most current winning numbers; and

(2) A claim form.

B. An Agency claim center shall also provide winning numbers for prior weeks.

C. When a claim is submitted, an authorized claiming location shall review and verify:

(1) The ticket submitted for prize payment;

(2) The documents required for prize payment under Regulation .05 of this chapter;

(3) If a claim form is required, the claim form; and

(4) If the authorized claiming location is a participating retailer under the expanded cashing authority program or an Agency claim center, the lottery terminal screen will indicate whether the winner owes a State obligation or whether the winner is prohibited by COMAR 36.01.01.05D.

D. If the winner owes a State obligation:

(1) A retailer shall tell the winner to go to an Agency claim center to complete the validation process;

(2) For a cash prize, if all other requirements of this subtitle are satisfied, an Agency claim center shall:

(a) Withhold an amount equal to all State obligations from the cash prize and apply it to the State obligations; and

(b) Pay any remaining amount of the prize to the winner as provided in §F(3) of this regulation; and

(3) For a merchandise or experiential prize, if all other requirements of this subtitle are satisfied, an Agency claim center shall:

(a) Require the winner to pay all State obligations before the prize may be awarded;

(b) Apply to the State obligations any cash portion of a prize awarded to the winner; and

(c) If the winner does not pay all State obligations within 5 work days of claiming the prize, disqualify the winner and deem the claim invalidated.

E. An authorized claiming location shall determine whether the winning ticket and, if required, the claim form, are:

(1) In proper form;

(2) Fully filled out;

(3) Submitted within the appropriate period; and

(4) Signed by the proper claimant.

F. An authorized claiming location may pay a prize or a portion of a prize after it determines that:

(1) The winner, ticket, and any required claim form meet the requirements of this chapter;

(2) All required documents have been properly completed and submitted; and

(3) No State obligation is due or unpaid.

G. An authorized claiming location shall:

(1) Retain the original of any required claim form submitted;

(2) Give a copy of the claim form to the claimant as a receipt;

(3) Collect from the winner the ticket being claimed; and

(4) Submit the claim form to the Agency within 10 workdays of paying the prize.

H. An authorized claiming location shall:

(1) Provide prize payment consistent with this section;

(2) If a retailer, pay the winner by coin, currency, or check the amount of a prize up to the amount authorized, as determined by the Agency; and

(3) If an Agency claim center:

(a) Pay the winner, by check, the amount of a prize up to the amount authorized, as determined by the Agency; or

(b) Provide for payment by the Comptroller of Maryland or other appropriate office.

I. If an individual who submits a winning ticket is included on the voluntary exclusion list maintained under COMAR 36.01.03.04, the Agency shall:

(1) Use any prize winnings to pay any State obligation; and

(2) Pay the remainder of the prize to the unclaimed prize fund under COMAR 36.02 07.