How to Cash Your Winning Ticket

Expiration:
All winning tickets sold in the State of Illinois expire on December 31^st of the year after they were issued. Therefore, all tickets sold in 2008 expire on December 31, 2009.

Cash at the Track or OTB:
The serial numbers of all winning tickets are retained in the tote system of the issuing facility until the Illinois host track responsible for those tickets purges them from the system. This purge is usually done 30 days after the close of the final race meet that track runs in a calendar year. Tickets hosted by Arlington will usually be purged mid October each year. Until the tickets are purged, you may cash your winning ticket at any wagering facility in Illinois that uses the same tote system that issued the ticket.

As a courtesy to our fans, there is a cross-cash window at Arlington Park that allows us to cash tickets sold at Scientific Games facilities. See chart below

Can I Cash Tickets I Bought at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby at Arlington Park
Even though Arlington Park shares common ownership with Churchill Downs, Calder Racecourse, and Fair Grounds Race Track, tickets must always be cashed in the state in which they were issued. We cannot cash tickets purchased at Churchill Downs at Arlington, or anywhere in the State of Illinois. These tickets must be mailed to the racetrack that issued them.

Cash by Mail:
Once the tickets have been purged from the tote system, you may cash them by mail. Tickets must be mailed to the host track responsible for those tickets, regardless of where you purchased them, and must be postmarked no later than December 31^st of the year after they were purchased. Normal ticket processing time is two weeks, but because of holidays, racing schedules, and other issues, it can take up to four weeks to receive your check.

When mailing in winning tickets, always keep a copy for yourself, but you must send in the actual ticket. Usually regular US Mail is sufficient, but if the tickets are of a high value, you may wish to send them registered mail. Always include your name and address either on the back of the tickets, or somewhere inside the envelope. If we don’t know who you are, we can’t send you your winnings!

Which Track is the Host Track:
For tickets issued on races that are run before 6:30 PM, the host track is the Thoroughbred track running (except during dark periods), and for races run at 6:30 PM or later, the host track is the night harness track running that evening. Usually, afternoon tickets sold before Arlington opens in May, and after Arlington closes in September are hosted by Hawthorne. Arlington is the host from our May opening until our September closing. Arlington and Hawthorne share the host for the dark period of January – March.

Confused? Take a look at the chart below……

Illinois Host Track for the Calendar Year 2008:

Races run prior to 6:30 PM

Races run 6:30 PM or Later

Still confused? If you send in your winning ticket to the wrong track, all Illinois tracks will forward your winning tickets to the correct host. This will, however, delay your processing, as the tickets must be logged in, and then forwarded.

Where Do I Mail Winning Tickets
Once you know who the host is, please mail your tickets to the appropriate address below.

Arlington Park

PO Box 7

Arlington Heights, Illinois 60006

Balmoral Park

26453 Dixie Highway

Crete, Illinois 60417

Hawthorne Race Course

3501 S. Laramie Ave.

Stickney, Illinois 60804

Maywood Park

8600 North Ave.

Melrose Park,  Illinois 60160

Vouchers:
Uncashed wagering vouchers are treated a little bit differently, and it differs by where you got the voucher.

Arlington Park will honor any uncashed voucher issued by Arlington Park or any Trackside OTB, regardless of when it was issued. These vouchers are usually purged just after the Breeders' Cup in the fall of the year after they were issued. All 2008 vouchers are set to be purged in October 2009. Prior to purging, vouchers may be cashed at any window, just like tickets. After purging, they may be mailed into Arlington Park at the address above.

Vouchers issued by Hawthorne, Maywood, Balmoral, Fairmount, or any of their OTBs are treated as the policies of those establishments dictates. You may cash any of those vouchers prior to purging according to the cashing chart above, but as to when they are purged and how long they are valid; the issuing facility sets the policy.