When you win a lottery, you’ll have several choices when it comes to the payout. If you win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot, for example, you can choose to receive the prize in a lump sum or over thirty annual payments. When you visit your local Lottery office to claim your prize, you’ll be asked to choose the option you want. It’s important to make sure that your ticket is valid and that you meet all requirements for receiving a lottery payout.

As you think about how you’ll spend your newfound wealth, consider the goals you have set. Are you going to pay off your debt, help your family, contribute to charity, buy big-ticket items for yourself, or create a legacy? If you’re not sure what to do with your newfound money, check out Lottery Success Stories for more inspiration. You can also check out some Lottery Success Stories and talk to real lottery winners to get some ideas on what to do with your new wealth.

In Hitting the Lottery Jackpot, David Nibert discusses how the state’s reliance on lotteries has created a conflict between its role as promoter of gambling and the needs of its citizens. Advertising agencies, ticket vendors, and other groups benefit from promotions of lotteries, while less than half of the funds are actually returned as prizes. In addition, poor people of color are often the ones who lose more from these lotteries.