If you are a regular lottery player, you likely have a collection of old lottery tickets piling up somewhere. Those losing tickets may seem worthless, but they actually still hold some value and usefulness if you know what to do with them.
The first thing to do is carefully check your old tickets to make absolutely sure they are not winners. The last thing you want is to accidentally throw away a ticket worth millions! Thoroughly scan every ticket to verify all the numbers. Some lotteries also have second chance drawings you can enter your losing tickets into for another shot at prizes.
Redeem Losing Tickets for Prizes or Discounts
Many state lotteries allow you to redeem losing scratch-off or draw game tickets for prizes like free tickets or small merchandise. For example, the Illinois Lottery’s Ticket for Ticket program lets you exchange 10 losing tickets for a free $1 instant ticket. The Ohio Lottery offers non-winning tickets for points you can redeem in their Loyalty program for coupons, discounts, or entries into prize drawings.
You can also use losing tickets for discounts at retail businesses. Some gas stations and convenience stores offer fuel discounts like $.05 or $.10 off per gallon when you show losing scratch-offs and tickets. Certain restaurants and shops extend percentage discounts for bringing in old tickets as well.
Donate Them to Charity
Local charities, churches, schools, and non-profit organizations often collect used lottery tickets as a fundraising method. They can redeem large quantities of tickets in exchange for cash from lottery loyalty programs. Many lotteries also donate a portion of unclaimed prizes to educational or public service programs.
Donating tickets helps the charitable causes. It also clears out your collection while allowing the tickets to still provide some benefit rather than tossing them in the trash. Make sure to contact the charity first to confirm they have an established lottery ticket donation program.
Sell Them to Ticket Resellers
Some businesses specialize in buying and reselling old lottery tickets, usually scratch-offs. They purchase large volumes of non-winning tickets for very low prices, often $.01 to $.05 per ticket. The tickets are then resold on secondary market websites to collectors for higher prices.
Selling to a reseller can provide a bit of cash for those old tickets cluttering up your home. Prices vary based on condition, state, and desirability. Rare tickets or complete sets in very good condition fetch higher prices from collectors. Be sure to find a reputable reseller with positive reviews before selling tickets.
Use Them for Arts and Crafts
Lottery tickets can be incorporated into a variety of craft projects and DIY creations. Their versatility stems from the instant ticket’s layered structure of cardboard, latex coating, foil, and ink surfaces. Some popular craft uses for old tickets include:
- Making bows, flowers, wreaths, baskets, and bouquets for holidays and events
- Scrapbooking embellishments like die cuts, tags, and pocket papers
- Stamps and coasters
- Postcards and greeting cards
- Decorative garlands and confetti
- Gift wrap, gift card holders, and gift tags
Pinterest has endless inspiration for crafty lottery ticket projects. Repurposing non-winning tickets this way stops them from going to waste while creating handmade items.
Use as Bookmarks or Notes
Lottery tickets work great as inexpensive, disposable bookmarks. Their length is ideal for marking pages. The blank backs can be used for jotting down notes and reminders too. Keep a stash of old tickets to grab and use as quick bookmarks whenever needed.
Enter Ticket Second Chance Contests
Most major lotteries now offer second chance contests that give players another shot at winning with their losing tickets. These contests allow you to enter eligible tickets online to potentially win large cash and merchandise prizes. Requirements vary but often 10-20 eligible tickets are needed for a single entry.
Always check official lottery websites for details on entering second chance contests in your state or region. It takes just a few minutes to register tickets but gives you more opportunities to turn non-winners into winners. These contests are a prime reason to hold onto old tickets rather than throwing them away.
Use as Packing or Void Fill Material
Lottery tickets serve nicely as void fill material when packing fragile items for shipping and storage. Simply wad up tickets into balls to cushion collectibles, electronics, glassware, and other breakable objects inside boxes. The soft paper material conforms around items to prevent shifting and absorb impact.
Make sure no sharp objects will puncture through and damage the tickets. Avoid packing anything wet or damp as this will make the tickets stick together. But for most dry goods, old lottery tickets create soft, lightweight padding substitutes for packing peanuts and bubble wrap.
Gift to Lottery Ticket Collectors
There is an active community of lottery ticket collectors and enthusiasts. Most focus on vintage instant scratch-off tickets, complete ticket sets, rare prizes, and unique printing errors that hold collectible value.
If you have any older instant game tickets still lying around, a collector may be interested in purchasing them, especially any tickets from the 1980s and 1990s. Rare misprinted tickets also draw collector attention. You can research collector forums online to connect with potential buyers.
Use as Note Pads
Instant scratch-off tickets work great as small notepads for jotting down notes, lists, and reminders. Their size makes them convenient to keep in pockets, purses, bags, and cars. The scratch-off coating also adds a fun element of interactivity.
To use old tickets as notepads, stack several together with the scratch-off sides facing up. Secure them by stapling one corner. You now have an instant pad of paper tickets for quick notes on the go. Use a coin to scratch off the latex coating and write your note underneath.
Enter Foreign Lottery Contests
Some foreign lottery operators, like Loterie Romande in Switzerland, run second chance contests open to players worldwide. You can mail in losing tickets from other countries to enter drawings for prizes. It provides a final chance for tickets to win while promoting the overseas lottery.
Before mailing any tickets internationally, make sure to check contest rules, shipping restrictions, and mail costs. This is a unique option for giving non-winning foreign tickets bought on trips or vacations one more opportunity to possibly become a winner.
Reuse for Shopping Lists and Reminders
Lottery tickets already come preprinted with numbers, so why not take advantage by reusing them for grocery lists and to-do reminders? The numbered games like Pick 3 and Pick 4 work great for customizing your own serialized lists and notes.
Write the name of each item next to the numbers to create a numerical shopping list. For reminders, replace the lottery numbers with tasks that need accomplishing. Get creative and develop your own systems to maximize the usefulness of old tickets around the home and office.
Conclusion
With a little creativity, those old seemingly worthless lottery tickets can gain new life through second chances, crafts, collections, packing material, and more. Instead of throwing them away, consider the many productive ways to reuse lottery tickets.
Checking them for winners, entering second chance contests, redeeming for lottery promotions, selling to collectors, donating to charity, and repurposing for arts and crafts are all great options. Tickets can also help with simple tasks like bookmarking, taking notes, listing reminders, and filling empty spaces in packages.
Rather than having a pile of discarded tickets cluttering up drawers and desks, take steps to handle them responsibly. Who knows, that supposed non-winner just might have a second chance jackpot awaiting! With a bit of creativity those losing tickets can still prove themselves winners after all.