Ohio lottery players are getting hit hard — and it’s costing them millions. Over the past five years, Ohioans have lost more than $34 million to lottery and sweepstakes scams, ranking the state fourth-highest in the U.S. for such fraud.
Scammers are getting sneakier, especially when jackpots skyrocket, like in recent Mega Millions or Powerball drawings. Many victims are tricked into paying bogus “fees” to collect fake winnings or verify prizes.
👉 Here’s the twist: some scams now use AI-generated phone calls that sound like legit lottery officials. “It sounds just like someone from an actual lottery agency,” said Dave Grendzynski from Vegas Insider, which released a report on these rising scams. “But it’s really just someone trying to get your info or money.”
Ohio’s strong lottery culture and older population make it a prime target. With over $4 billion in annual ticket sales and the convenience of apps and websites, scammers can easily find victims online.
In Cuyahoga County, 30 people reported lottery-related scams in 2025—mostly failed attempts—but total losses still reached around $14,000.
The Ohio Lottery warns players:
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They never call to announce a jackpot win.
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They never ask for payment to claim a prize.
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Second-chance promotions are the only official “extra” drawings, and players must enter them personally.
💡 Pro Tip: If someone contacts you claiming you’ve won a contest you don’t remember entering — it’s a scam. Always verify directly with the Ohio Lottery before responding.
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