Virginia Law

A. Subject to the provisions in § 58.1-4013 D of the Code of Virginia, the director may refrain from making payment of a prize pending a final determination by the director under any of the following circumstances:

1. If a dispute arises, or it appears that a dispute may arise, relative to any ownership of a winning ticket or any prize;

2. If there is any question regarding the identity of the claimant;

3. If there is any question regarding the validity of any ticket presented for payment;

4. If there is any question whether a claimant has made a valid cash option election; or

5. If the claim is subject to any set off for delinquent debts owed to any agency eligible to participate in the Setoff Debt Collection Act (Article 21 (§ 58.1-520 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 of the Code of Virginia) if the agency has registered such debt with the Virginia Department of Taxation and timely notice of the debt has been furnished by the Virginia Department of Taxation to the department.

B. The director may, at any time, delay any periodic or installment payment in order to review a change in circumstance relative to the prize awarded, the payee, the claim, or any other matter that has been brought to the agency's attention. All delayed installments shall be brought up to date immediately upon the director's confirmation. Delayed installments shall continue to be paid according to the original payment schedule after the director's decision is given.

C. No liability for interest for any delay of any prize payment in accordance with subsections A and B of this section, or any delay beyond the agency's control, shall accrue to the benefit of the claimant pending payment of the claim. The agency is neither liable for nor has it any responsibility to resolve disputes between or among competing claimants.