Hoosier Lottery Technical Issue emerged after a newly released $5 Space Invaders Cash Invasion scratch off showed prize amounts that did not match the lottery's backend records.
Mike Fields, a forklift driver from Indiana, scratched a ticket that visibly showed a $100,000 grand prize under a rocket ship symbol, which the game rules say should award the prize shown beneath it.
When Fields scanned the ticket at a validation terminal the system registered the ticket as worth $20, and he traveled to lottery headquarters in Indianapolis seeking clarification.
Fields told local outlet WXIN that officials did not pay him that day and that staff said he would be informed by mail within 30 days, saying quote They never told us, 'No'. They just said that we wouldn't be paid today... and that we would be informed by mail within 30 days.
Another player, Glendon Jones, attempted to claim what he thought was a $2,500 prize on the same game but was told the ticket was the result of a mistake and that he was out of luck, the reports said.
Lottery Response And Player Options
The Hoosier Lottery acknowledged a technical issue in a statement, saying a printing error left some tickets appearing to show a prize different from the commission's official validation record, according to Jared Bond, Director of External Affairs at the Hoosier Lottery.
The commission halted sales of the $5 Space Invaders Cash Invasion game and removed it from circulation to ensure the game experience upholds integrity, the statement said.
Officials asked affected players to submit dispute or protest forms along with their tickets for review, and the lottery said it is reviewing its rules and procedures to determine an official remedy for impacted ticket holders.
The media reports noted that legally most lottery commissions operate under strict terms that misprints or technical glitches can void plays and payouts, leaving players limited recourse as authorities review the matter.
The Hoosier Lottery has not announced any financial settlement for those affected, and the agency advised players to follow the official claims and protest process while it completes its review.
