R 432.17 Ownership of lottery tickets.

Rule 17. (1) A valid lottery ticket that has been sold by a licensed retailer is presumed to be owned by the person whose name is entered on the claim form, notwithstanding that the name of another person may appear on the ticket face or reverse side. Except as provided in subrule (2) of this rule, the bureau shall pay a prize to the person whose name is entered on the claim form or present the prize to a third party who is authorized, in writing, as the claimant's representative. All liability of the bureau, the state, their employees and agents terminates upon payment. (2) Upon receipt of information supported by proper evidence that another person is entitled to payment, or upon assertion that the ticket was not legally issued initially, the commissioner may withhold payment pending an investigation. If the ownership of a winning lottery ticket is disputed and the results of the commissioner's investigation are inconclusive, then the commissioner may initiate an appropriate judicial proceeding to determine ownership. (3) The claimant of a lottery prize shall not assign or sell his or her right to any prize except as provided for by law. The commissioner shall develop policies, procedures, and fee schedules for the disposition of a claimant's rights to future payments. (4) The prize for a winning ticket must be claimed by the expiration date printed, or as defined, on the ticket.