If there’s one dream that many of us share, it’s winning one of the United States lotteries like Powerball or Mega Millions. And I’m not just talking about US citizens or residents. The fame of lottery games in the US is so great that people from all over the world dream of winning one of these huge prizes. But here’s the question: Can non-residents actually play the US lottery?? And what happens if a foreigner wins US lottery?
Today, we’ll dive into the legal and financial implications that foreigners face when they take a chance and potentially win American lotteries. We’ll take a close look at the process for claiming their winnings. We also discuss the important considerations they need to keep in mind throughout the process.
Can a foreigner Play US Lotteries?
Fortunately, the answer is yes. There are no citizenship restrictions on playing the US Lottery. Both US citizens and non-citizens over the age of 18 can purchase lottery tickets and have a chance to win a prize.
In fact, the Powerball website specifically addresses this issue and states the following:
“It is not necessary to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball. Players who live in places where Powerball tickets are not sold, either inside or outside the United States, may purchase their tickets through a licensed or authorized retailer in that jurisdiction, as long as they meet the legal age requirements of the state in which the purchase is made”.
This inclusive approach allows people from all over the world to participate in the exciting experience of playing the US Lottery, increasing the chances that anyone, regardless of nationality, can make their dream of winning an amazing prize come true.
So we know that a foreigner can play the US Lottery, but what happens if he wins?
What happens if a foreigner wins US lottery?
If a foreigner wins the US lottery, they are eligible to claim the prize, just like any US citizen or resident. The process is quite similar for both foreigners and US residents. However, there are several steps they need to take to claim the prize:
- Verify the Ticket: The first thing a player should do is check their ticket and make sure the numbers match the numbers drawn. This can be done by checking the official lottery website or using the Lottonia App. At Lottonia, we keep track of all the results of your favorite games. But there’s an even easier way: our scan feature. Just upload a photo of your lottery ticket and you’ll know instantly if you won or not.
- Claim the Prize in the Same State: All winners must claim their prize in the same state where they purchased the lottery ticket. This means that if they bought the ticket while visiting the country, they must return to claim their prize.
- Sign the ticket: Signing the ticket is necessary to validate ownership and ensure that the rightful winner claims the prize. It serves as a security measure to prevent fraudulent claims and protect the integrity of the lottery system.
- Check the Claim Period: Winners should check the deadlines for claiming their lottery prize. These deadlines vary depending on each state’s regulations, ranging from 3 months to a year.
- Identity Verification: Winners need to provide valid identification to verify their identity when claiming the prize. Accepted forms of identification may include a passport, driver’s license, green card or other government-issued ID.
- Collect prizes: Once the winner meet all requirements, they can collect their prize! The time it takes to receive the prize depends on state regulations and the total amount of the prize. It can range from 10 business days to approximately 6 weeks. Smaller prizes (up to $599), can even claim them immediately at the lottery retail location where they purchased the ticket.
Tax Implications for Non-US Lottery Winners
It’s time to face the reality of taxes. The final tax rate varies depending on the value of the prize and the state in which the ticket was purchased. It can be as high as 40%.
First, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) automatically withholds 30% of net winnings as federal income tax. Winnings under $600 are tax-free and don’t need to be reported to the IRS. However, if your winnings exceed this amount, they must be reported on their next tax return.
In addition to federal taxes, there are also state taxes to consider! These taxes can vary from 0% to as much as 9% depending on the state and its regulations. Therefore, it’s important to check the tax laws of the state where the winning ticket was purchased to fully understand your tax obligations.
Famous Cases of Foreigners Winning American Lotteries
It’s true that winning the US Lottery is not as common for foreigners as it is for US citizens. Over the years, however, there have been notable cases of foreign citizens who were lucky enough to win big jackpots in the United States. These stories, while less common, have captured the public’s attention because of their uniqueness and the impact they’ve had on the winners’ lives.
One of the most notable examples is the case of Nandlall Mangal, a carpenter from Guyana. In 2018, Mangal emerged as the winner of a whopping $245.6 million prize in the New York Powerball drawing. Surprisingly, Mangal didn’t realize he had won until days later, when he checked his numbers on his computer. He decided to keep his winnings a secret and plans to invest it, pay off his debts and travel, especially to Hawaii.
Another outstanding example is Inés Sánchez and her husband, Pedro Quezada. They were both undocumented, she from Mexico and he from the Dominican Republic, when they won a $338 million Powerball jackpot.
Summing up…
The dream of winning the lottery in the United States is not limited by nationality. Both American citizens and foreigners have the chance to participate and win big prizes. Although less common, cases of foreigners winning American lotteries show that luck knows no borders.
So the next time you buy a lottery ticket, remember that the jackpot could be waiting for you, no matter where you’re from. Good luck to you!