<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 36.02.06.06" title_num="36" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="06" heading="Procedure for Authorized Claiming Locations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An authorized claiming location shall provide, free of charge:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The most current winning numbers; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A claim form.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An Agency claim center shall also provide winning numbers for prior weeks.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>When a claim is submitted, an authorized claiming location shall review and verify:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The ticket submitted for prize payment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The documents required for prize payment under Regulation .05 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a claim form is required, the claim form; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the authorized claiming location is a participating retailer under the expanded cashing authority program or an Agency claim center, the lottery terminal screen will indicate whether the winner owes a State obligation or whether the winner is prohibited by COMAR 36.01.01.05D.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If the winner owes a State obligation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A retailer shall tell the winner to go to an Agency claim center to complete the validation process;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For a cash prize, if all other requirements of this subtitle are satisfied, an Agency claim center shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Withhold an amount equal to all State obligations from the cash prize and apply it to the State obligations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Pay any remaining amount of the prize to the winner as provided in §F(3) of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>For a merchandise or experiential prize, if all other requirements of this subtitle are satisfied, an Agency claim center shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Require the winner to pay all State obligations before the prize may be awarded;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Apply to the State obligations any cash portion of a prize awarded to the winner; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If the winner does not pay all State obligations within 5 work days of claiming the prize, disqualify the winner and deem the claim invalidated.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>An authorized claiming location shall determine whether the winning ticket and, if required, the claim form, are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In proper form;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Fully filled out;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Submitted within the appropriate period; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Signed by the proper claimant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>An authorized claiming location may pay a prize or a portion of a prize after it determines that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The winner, ticket, and any required claim form meet the requirements of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All required documents have been properly completed and submitted; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>No State obligation is due or unpaid.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>An authorized claiming location shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Retain the original of any required claim form submitted;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Give a copy of the claim form to the claimant as a receipt;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Collect from the winner the ticket being claimed; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Submit the claim form to the Agency within 10 workdays of paying the prize.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>An authorized claiming location shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide prize payment consistent with this section;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a retailer, pay the winner by coin, currency, or check the amount of a prize up to the amount authorized, as determined by the Agency; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If an Agency claim center:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Pay the winner, by check, the amount of a prize up to the amount authorized, as determined by the Agency; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provide for payment by the Comptroller of Maryland or other appropriate office.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>If an individual who submits a winning ticket is included on the voluntary exclusion list maintained under COMAR 36.01.03.04, the Agency shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Use any prize winnings to pay any State obligation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Pay the remainder of the prize to the unclaimed prize fund under COMAR 36.02 07.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>