Winning Twice: Illinois Lottery’s Second Chance Drawings

The Illinois Lottery Second Chance program gives players another opportunity to win prizes with non-winning instant scratch-off tickets.Winning Twice After entering eligible tickets into the program, players get entered into random drawings for cash prizes and other exciting rewards.

The Second Chance program started in 1998 and has awarded millions of dollars in prizes over the years. It provides a way for the Illinois Lottery to give players added value, while also helping to reduce litter from tickets being thrown away. Players appreciate having a second shot at prizes.

The Second Chance drawings occur multiple times per year, with a variety of prize packages up for grabs. Players can enter any non-winning tickets from select scratch games, as long as the games are currently valid and have not ended. There are different entry periods for various games.

Entering is free and easy to do on the Illinois Lottery website or mobile app. Players register their tickets by entering a code. Then they wait and hope their name gets drawn as a lucky winner! It’s an exciting extra chance at prizes with no additional cost to players.

What is the Second Chance Program?

The Illinois Lottery Second Chance Program gives players another opportunity to win prizes with eligible non-winning scratch-off tickets. After a player purchases a scratch-off ticket and reveals it’s not a winner, they can enter the ticket into the Second Chance drawing for a chance to win cash prizes up to $25,000.

The Second Chance program allows the lottery to extend the playing experience, while also reducing waste since players have an incentive to enter their tickets rather than simply throwing them away. It provides a second chance for players to win without having to purchase more tickets.

To enter the Second Chance drawings, players must register non-winning scratch tickets online or through the lottery’s mobile app. The lottery holds drawings periodically and notifies winners if their entries are selected. The number and value of prizes varies for each game. Players can enter multiple tickets to increase their odds of winning.

How to Enter

Entering the Illinois Lottery Second Chance drawing is easy and free. Simply follow these steps:

• Go to the Illinois Lottery Second Chance website and click on the “Join Now” button. This will take you to the sign up page.

• Provide your contact information including name, address, email, and phone number.

• Choose a username and password. This will allow you to login to view your entries and prizes.

• Enter the 14-digit Ticket Code from non-winning scratch tickets. This code can be found on the front of the ticket.

• The eligible tickets will be entered into the next Second Chance drawing. Drawings are held monthly.

• You can enter up to $5 worth of tickets per day. There is no limit to the number of total entries.

• Sit back and wait for the drawing. If one of your tickets is selected, you will be contacted by email and phone.

Entering the Illinois Lottery Second Chance drawing requires no purchase or fees. Simply use your non-winning scratch tickets to get more chances to win cash and prizes. It’s a great way to extend your lottery enjoyment.

Prizes

The Illinois Lottery offers a variety of prizes through its Second Chance drawings. Some of the prizes available include:

• Cash Prizes – The lottery offers cash prizes ranging from $100 up to the $25,000 grand prize. The number and amount of cash prizes varies by drawing.

• VIP Experiences – These prizes provide a VIP experience such as suite tickets to a sporting event. The specific prizes vary by drawing.

• Electronics – Popular electronics like Smart TVs, gaming systems, and tablets are often available as Second Chance prizes. The specific electronics prizes differ for each drawing.

• Trip Packages – Some drawings provide incredible trip packages as prizes. These can include destinations in the US and abroad, covering amenities like airfare, hotel, food and more. The trips and destinations change regularly.

• Vehicles – Certain Second Chance drawings will feature new vehicles as prizes, such as cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and more. The vehicle makes and models rotate from drawing to drawing.

The lottery posts full prize details for each Second Chance drawing on its website and in its official rules. The number and type of prizes varies widely, providing exciting possibilities for entrants to win amazing prizes beyond just the cash jackpot. Players should review the prizes before entering each drawing.

Recent Winners

The Illinois Lottery Second Chance program has produced many big winners over the years. Here are some of the notable recent winners:

• In January 2023, John S. from Chicago won $250,000 on a $20 scratch-off ticket he entered into the Second Chance drawing. John said he plans to use the money to pay off debts and take his family on a vacation.

• Last October, Amanda W. won $100,000 from a Second Chance drawing. She had entered non-winning tickets from a special holiday scratcher game. Amanda donated some of her winnings to her local animal shelter.

• In 2021, the largest Second Chance prize went to John B., a retired teacher from Springfield. He won $1 million from a $30 scratch-off ticket. When interviewed by the local news, John said he planned to share his winnings with his children and grandchildren.

• Mary K. from Rockford won $300,000 from a Second Chance drawing in the summer of 2020. She entered tickets from a variety of $2 and $5 scratchers. Mary said the win came at the perfect time, as she had recently lost her job due to the pandemic.

The Second Chance program provides exciting opportunities for players to win big prize money from non-winning tickets. These examples show how life-changing the rewards can be for lucky winners.

Tips and Strategies

The Illinois Lottery’s Second Chance program gives players another opportunity to win prizes with non-winning scratch-off tickets. While there is an element of luck involved, there are some tips players can use to maximize their chances of winning.

• Enter as often as possible – The more entries you submit, the better your odds. Enter all eligible non-winning tickets into as many Second Chance drawings as possible.

• Join the Players Club – Members of the Lottery’s Players Club get one free entry into each Second Chance drawing. Sign up to get these extra entries.

• Buy tickets from different rolls – Buying scratch-offs from different ticket rolls increases the variety of entry codes, rather than multiple tickets from the same roll.

• Double-check entries – Carefully enter tickets on the website or app and double-check the entry codes to ensure they were properly submitted.

• Spread out purchases – Rather than buying many tickets at once, consider spreading out smaller purchases over time to diversify entries.

• Follow entry rules – Carefully read the rules for each drawing and properly submit tickets. Disqualified entries won’t have a chance to win.

• Enter promptly – Enter tickets as soon as possible because many drawings have entry deadlines. Don’t miss out by waiting too long.

• Check results – Be sure to check the lottery website or app to see if your entries have won. Unclaimed prizes may expire.

By using strategies like maximizing entries, verifying codes, and buying tickets methodically, players can optimize their chances of winning prizes in the Illinois Lottery’s Second Chance drawings. Consistently entering and following the rules provides more opportunities for entries to get drawn as winners.

Scams to Avoid

Unfortunately, some scammers and fraudsters take advantage of lottery players through deceptive schemes and fake promotions. Here are some tips to avoid falling victim:

• Avoid “guaranteed win” offers. No legitimate company can guarantee you will win the lottery. These are scams designed to steal your money.

• Don’t pay upfront fees. It’s illegal in the US to ask for payment before delivering lottery prizes. Any company asking for fees to claim winnings is fraudulent.

• Verify legitimacy before sharing info. Before providing personal/banking details, ensure the lottery/company is real. Contact them through official channels, not just an email or phone number given.

• Watch for fake checks. Fraudsters may send fake “prize” checks and tell you to deposit then wire back the excess. The check will bounce but any money you send cannot be recovered.

• Ignore foreign offers. It’s illegal for foreign lotteries to sell tickets in the US. Any foreign lottery contacting you is likely a scam. Report them.

• Beware of “lucky” people. Scammers may approach you claiming they know tricks to win or have inside lottery knowledge. There are no guaranteed strategies.

• Don’t fall for phishing. Scammers create fake lottery websites/emails to steal login credentials and identities. Verify the URL and sender before clicking links.

Stay vigilant and use common sense to avoid being taken advantage of. If an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is. Report any suspicious activity to protect yourself and others.

FAQs

What is the Illinois Lottery Second Chance program?

The Second Chance program allows players to enter non-winning scratch-off tickets for a chance to win prizes like cash, trips, electronics, and more. It provides players with a second chance to win a prize with their losing tickets.

How do I enter the Second Chance program?

You can enter non-winning scratch tickets either on the Illinois Lottery website or through the mobile app. To enter online, go to illinoislottery.com and click on Second Chance. You’ll need to register for an account if you don’t already have one. On the mobile app, click the Second Chance icon to get started.

What prizes can I win?

Prizes vary for each Second Chance drawing and can include vacations, electronics, cash prizes up to $25,000, and more. The prizes and entry details are different for each scratch game, so check the details before entering your tickets.

How often do they hold Second Chance drawings?

Drawings are typically held 1-2 times per month but the schedule varies. Make sure to check the entry and drawing deadlines for each game before submitting your tickets. Drawings are held within a week or two after the entry period closes.

Can I enter tickets from other states?

Unfortunately, no. Only non-winning Illinois Lottery scratch-off tickets are eligible for the Illinois Second Chance drawings. Other states may have similar second chance programs for their scratch games.

Are there any fees to enter?

Nope, entering the Second Chance drawings is free! You just need to enter your eligible non-winning scratch tickets.

How do I know if I won?

Winners are posted on the Illinois Lottery website after each drawing. You can also opt-in to receive an email or text message alert if you are selected as a winner. Prize winners will be contacted by the Lottery to verify details and claim the prize.

Summary

The Illinois Lottery’s Second Chance program provides players with an additional opportunity to win prizes with non-winning scratch-off tickets. By entering eligible tickets into drawings on the lottery’s website, players get a “second chance” to turn a losing ticket into a prize.

Key details about the Second Chance program include:

• It allows players to enter non-winning scratch-off tickets into drawings for cash prizes up to $5,000, as well as luxury vacations, electronics, and more. Each ticket entered is like getting another chance to win a prize.

• To participate, players must register on the Illinois Lottery website and enter the 22-digit number found under the scratch-off coating of eligible tickets. There are [number] drawings per year.

• The lottery provides a schedule of upcoming drawings on their website so players know which tickets are eligible and when to enter by. There are separate drawings for different scratch-off games.

• Prizes vary by drawing, but often include large cash awards up to $5,000, vacations, electronics, lottery ticket packages, and more. The number and odds of winning depend on the number of entries.

• Since its start in 2012, the Second Chance program has awarded over $19 million in prizes to more than 200,000 winners across the state. It has proved popular for giving players more bang for their buck.

In summary, the Illinois Lottery’s Second Chance program extends the playtime and potential prizes for scratch-off lottery players. By entering eligible non-winning tickets in drawings, players get additional chances to win vacations, electronics, and big cash awards. It’s a simple way to get more enjoyment and prizes from scratch-off games.

Resources

For more information on the Illinois Lottery’s Second Chance Program, check out the following resources:

• Illinois Lottery’s Second Chance site – The official Second Chance page on the Illinois Lottery website. Details on how to enter, prize details, rules and FAQs.

• Recent Second Chance Winners page – See the latest list of winners for the various Second Chance drawings.

• Illinois Lottery Facebook page – The Illinois Lottery posts updates on Second Chance drawings and other news. You can also ask questions.

• Illinois Lottery YouTube Channel – Watch videos explaining how Second Chance works and see winner announcements.

• Illinois Lottery Twitter – Get quick updates on winners and deadline reminders. Use #ILSecondChance.

• Illinois Lottery Phone Support – Call the player hotline at 1-800-555-1212 for any questions on Second Chance rules, technical issues, or prize claims.