Overview
- The Hoosier Lottery stopped sales of the $5 Space Invaders Cash Invasion game in mid-June after multiple players reported that visible prize amounts on tickets did not match what scanners and validation records showed.
- Indiana player Mike Fields uncovered what appeared to be a $100,000 prize but had the ticket validate for $20 and was told he would be notified by mail within 30 days while the lottery reviews the dispute.
- Another player, Glendon Jones, believed he had won $2,500 but was told the ticket was a misprint and was not a winner when he attempted to claim it.
- The lottery says the problem stems from a printing or technical disconnect between the ticket face and the backend validation database and has asked claimants to submit formal protest forms and mail disputed tickets for review with a submission deadline noted by the commission.
- The commission cites rules that validation records take precedence and can void plays for misprints, which limits immediate payout options and is likely to focus the dispute on procedural review and tighter quality controls rather than automatic large payouts.