Can I scan a scratch-off ticket with my phone to see if I won?

Yes. The official NY Lottery app (free on iOS and Android) has a barcode scanner that lets you scan the barcode on the back of any NY scratch-off ticket to check if it's a winner. ScratchOffsNY also offers a scan feature on its website that identifies game details. You can also manually check by entering the game number and ticket code on nylottery.ny.gov.

Do I need to scratch the ticket before scanning it?

No. The barcode on the back of the ticket is always visible and contains the ticket's outcome. You can scan an unscratched ticket to check if it's a winner. However, you still need to scratch the play area to see the specific prize amount and to claim the prize at a retailer. The scan just tells you winner or loser.

What if the barcode on my scratch-off ticket is damaged?

If the barcode is too damaged to scan with your phone, bring the ticket to a lottery retailer. Their terminal scanners are more powerful and can often read partially damaged barcodes. If the retailer's terminal can't read it either, you can submit the ticket to a NY Lottery Customer Service Center for manual validation. Keep the ticket — don't throw it away just because the barcode won't scan.

Is it safe to let a store clerk scan my ticket?

Modern lottery terminals display the result on a screen visible to both the clerk and you. Always watch the screen when a clerk scans your ticket. Better yet, scan it yourself first with the NY Lottery app so you already know the result before handing it over. Never give an unscratched ticket to someone else to check — sign the back and scratch it yourself first.

Can I check old scratch-off tickets on my phone?

Yes, as long as the game hasn't passed its claim deadline. The NY Lottery app and website can check any ticket from an active or recently ended game. If the game ended more than one year ago, the ticket is expired and can no longer be validated or claimed. See our guide on scratch-off expiration for details.

How to Check Scratch-Off Tickets on Your Phone (NY Guide)

March 26, 2026 How To Tools

You don't have to drive back to the store to find out if your scratch-off is a winner. Your phone can tell you in seconds. Here are three methods, from easiest to most manual.

Method Comparison

Method	Speed	What It Tells You	Requires
NY Lottery App	5 seconds	Winner/loser + prize amount	iOS/Android app, camera
ScratchOffsNY Scan	5 seconds	Game details, odds, Smart Score	Mobile browser, camera
NY Lottery Website	30 seconds	Winner/loser + prize amount	Game number, ticket code

Method 1: NY Lottery App (Official)

This is the fastest and most authoritative way to check. The official NY Lottery app connects directly to the lottery's validation system.

Download the app

Search "NY Lottery" in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). It's free. The publisher should show as "New York Lottery" — don't download knockoff apps.

Open the scanner

Tap "Scan" or the barcode icon on the home screen. Allow camera access when prompted.

Scan the barcode

Flip your ticket to the back. Hold your phone's camera over the barcode. The app reads it automatically — you don't need to press a button. Hold steady for 1-2 seconds.

See the result

The app shows "WINNER" with the prize amount or "NOT A WINNER." For prizes under $600, you can claim at any retailer. For larger prizes, the app gives claiming instructions.

Best for: confirming if you won and the exact amount

This is the gold standard. The result comes directly from the NY Lottery's system. Use this before handing a ticket to anyone else.

Method 2: ScratchOffsNY Ticket Scanner

Our scanner is designed for a different purpose — it identifies the game and shows you the data behind it: remaining prizes, Smart Score, odds, and expected value.

Visit ScratchOffsNY

Go to scratchoffsny.com in your mobile browser. No app download needed.

Tap "Scan"

Hit the Scan button in the bottom navigation bar. Allow camera access.

Scan the front or back

Point your phone's camera at the ticket. The scanner identifies the game from the barcode or visual design and pulls up the game's full data page.

Check the data

See the game's Smart Score, remaining top prizes, overall odds, expected value, and how it ranks against every other active NY game.

Best for: researching the game before (or after) buying

Use our scanner while you're at the store deciding which ticket to buy. Scan what's available on the dispenser, compare Smart Scores, and pick the best one. It doesn't tell you if a specific ticket is a winner — it tells you if the game is worth playing.

Method 3: Manual Check on nylottery.ny.gov

If you can't get the barcode to scan (damaged, faded, or your camera isn't cooperating), you can check manually on the NY Lottery website.

Find the game number

Look at the front of your ticket for the game number (a 3-4 digit number, usually near the top or bottom). Also locate the ticket code — a series of numbers/letters usually on the back near the barcode.

Go to the lottery website

Visit nylottery.ny.gov and navigate to "Check Your Numbers" or "Instant Games."

Enter the codes

Type in the game number and ticket code where prompted. Submit the form.

View the result

The website displays whether the ticket is a winner, the prize amount, and whether it's already been claimed.

Best for: damaged barcodes or verification disputes

This is the backup method. It takes longer but works even when scanners can't read the barcode. Also useful if you want a second source to verify what a retailer told you.

Safety Tips

Checking tickets on your phone isn't just faster — it's safer. Here's why:

Sign every ticket immediately. Write your name on the back as soon as you buy it. An unsigned ticket belongs to whoever holds it.
Scan before handing to a clerk. There have been cases of dishonest clerks telling customers their tickets are losers and then claiming them. If you've already scanned it, you know the truth.
Watch the terminal screen. When a clerk scans your ticket, the prize amount shows on the customer-facing display. Look at it — don't just take their word.
Never give away an unscratched ticket to be "checked." Scratch it yourself first, then verify with your phone.

In 2019, a Long Island store clerk was convicted of stealing a $10,000 winning ticket from a customer by telling them it was a loser. The shift to customer-facing displays and phone scanning has made this much harder, but the safest habit is to always check yourself first.

What If Your Phone Can't Scan the Barcode?

Barcodes can be hard to scan if they're scratched, crumpled, or printed poorly. If your phone won't read it:

Flatten the ticket. Put it on a dark, flat surface. Smooth out wrinkles.
Good lighting. Use natural light or a bright room. Avoid glare on the barcode.
Try the manual method. Enter the game number and ticket code on nylottery.ny.gov.
Visit a retailer. Their lottery terminals use industrial barcode scanners that can read barcodes your phone camera can't.
Contact the NY Lottery. For heavily damaged tickets, you can submit them to a Customer Service Center for manual validation.

Bottom Line

The fastest way to check a NY scratch-off: scan the barcode with the official NY Lottery app. Five seconds, definitive answer. Use ScratchOffsNY to research which games are worth buying in the first place. And always sign your ticket and check it yourself before anyone else touches it.

Scan and Compare Games Instantly

Use our ticket scanner at the store to see Smart Scores, remaining prizes, and expected value before you buy.

Try the Scanner →

Alex P.

Lead Data Analyst at ScratchOffsNY

Alex builds the Smart Score model and analyzes scratch-off data daily using official NY Lottery prize reports and open data APIs. All rankings are based on math, not gut feeling. Learn about our methodology.