How To Easily Enter The Illinois Second Chance Lottery Online Step By Step Guide And Tips

The Illinois Second Chance Lottery offers residents a simple way to turn non-winning scratch-off tickets into real prize opportunities. Unlike traditional lotteries, this program rewards players who didn’t win on their original tickets—giving them another shot at cash, gift cards, and even luxury prizes like vacations or vehicles. The best part? Entry is completely free and can be done in minutes from your computer or smartphone. With increasing participation each year, understanding how to navigate the system efficiently can make all the difference.

This guide walks you through every stage of entering the Illinois Second Chance Lottery online, including account setup, ticket submission, eligibility rules, and insider strategies to maximize your entries. Whether you’ve held onto old scratch-offs or play regularly, this process can turn overlooked tickets into unexpected wins.

Step-by-Step: How to Enter the Illinois Second Chance Lottery Online

Entering the Illinois Second Chance Lottery is straightforward once you understand the workflow. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the entire process:

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the Illinois Lottery’s official site at www.illinoislottery.com. Always use the legitimate state-run platform to avoid scams.
2. Create an Account: Click “Sign In/Register” and choose “Create Account.” You’ll need your full name, email address, date of birth, and a secure password. Confirm your email via the link sent to your inbox.
3. Verify Your Identity: Complete identity verification by providing your Illinois driver’s license number or state ID. This step ensures compliance with state regulations and prevents fraudulent entries.
4. Find Eligible Games: Not all scratch-off games qualify for second-chance drawings. Check the “Second Chance Drawings” section under the “Games” tab to see active promotions.
5. Locate the Ticket Code: On the back of your non-winning scratch-off ticket, find the 13-character alphanumeric code (usually labeled “2nd Chance Code”).
6. Submit Your Entry: Log in, go to the current second-chance promotion page, and enter your code manually or scan it using the Illinois Lottery mobile app.
7. Confirm Submission: After entry, you’ll receive a confirmation message. Save this for your records. Each eligible ticket equals one entry, and most games allow multiple submissions if you have more than one valid code.
8. Wait for Drawing Results: Winners are selected randomly and notified via email or phone. Prizes range from $500 to high-value experiences like cruises or $10,000 cash.

Tip: Submit entries as soon as possible—many second-chance promotions have deadlines that close weeks before the drawing date.

Eligibility and Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure your entry counts, follow these essential guidelines:

• You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Illinois.
• Only non-winning tickets from currently active second-chance games are accepted.
• Tickets must be intact and legible; damaged or incomplete codes will be rejected.
• Entries must be submitted before the stated deadline—late submissions are not accepted.
• You cannot enter winning tickets or those already redeemed.

Do	Don't
Keep unused scratch-off tickets in a safe place until entry	Throw away non-winning tickets without checking eligibility
Use the Illinois Lottery mobile app to scan codes quickly	Share your account login with others
Check your email regularly after entering	Enter expired or ineligible game codes
Review the official rules for each drawing	Assume all scratch-offs automatically qualify

Maximizing Your Chances: Expert Tips and Strategies

While second-chance drawings are random, smart habits increase your odds over time. Frequent entrants statistically have better long-term success due to volume of entries.

Tip: Buy scratch-off tickets in bulk during promotional periods—more tickets mean more potential entries.

Participate in themed campaigns such as holiday draws or anniversary events, which often feature enhanced prizes and fewer participants compared to standard rounds. Also, consider joining the Illinois Lottery Players Club, which provides exclusive access to bonus entries and early notifications about upcoming second-chance opportunities.

“Players who consistently enter second-chance drawings significantly improve their likelihood of winning over time—even if individual odds per entry remain fixed.” — Dr. Alan Reyes, Statistician & Gaming Analyst

Real Example: How One Player Won Big with a Forgotten Ticket

Sarah M., a teacher from Naperville, kept a shoebox of unclaimed scratch-off tickets under her desk for months. She assumed they were worthless since none revealed instant wins. After reading about the Second Chance Lottery online, she spent an hour entering codes from 17 old tickets. One of them—a $5 “Lucky for Life” game—earned her a spot in a drawing where she won a $5,000 Visa gift card.

“I almost threw them all away,” Sarah said. “Now I enter every non-winner right after buying. It takes two minutes and could pay for groceries—or a vacation.” Her story highlights the importance of holding onto tickets and staying informed about ongoing promotions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter the same ticket code more than once?

No. Each 13-digit code can only be entered once per drawing. Duplicate entries are automatically disqualified.

What happens if I lose my non-winning ticket?

You cannot submit an entry without the physical ticket. The code is required, so keep tickets safe until you’ve completed your submission.

Are second-chance prizes taxable?

Yes. All winnings above $600 are subject to federal income tax and must be reported to the IRS. The Illinois Lottery will provide Form W-2G for applicable prizes.

Essential Checklist Before You Enter

• ☑ Ensure you’re logged into your verified Illinois Lottery account
• ☑ Confirm the scratch-off game is eligible for the current second-chance drawing
• ☑ Locate the 13-character code on the back of your non-winning ticket
• ☑ Enter the code accurately—double-check each character
• ☑ Submit before the deadline (typically posted 4–6 weeks after the campaign starts)
• ☑ Monitor your email and spam folder for winner notifications

Tip: Set calendar reminders for upcoming second-chance deadlines to avoid missing out.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

The Illinois Second Chance Lottery is one of the most accessible ways for everyday residents to gain extra value from their scratch-off purchases. By turning losing tickets into new opportunities, the program adds excitement and fairness to lottery play. The entire process takes less than five minutes per entry and requires no additional cost—just attention to detail and consistency.

Start today by gathering your unused tickets, creating or logging into your Illinois Lottery account, and submitting your first entry. Over time, regular participation builds momentum. Even if you don’t win immediately, every entry keeps you closer to a potential breakthrough. With some luck and persistence, your next big prize might come not from an instant win—but from giving a losing ticket a second chance.

💬 Have you ever won a second-chance prize? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments—your story could inspire others to start entering!