Frequently Asked Questions

Are “Entry” tickets destroyed after each Drawing?
No. After the drawings, the unselected tickets are retained in secure storage per the Ohio Lottery's Records Retention Schedule.

How do I know which show to watch to see if I have been selected as a Contestant?
The Players Mail schedule outlines the show(s) to watch based upon when the Ohio Lottery receives your ticket. This schedule can be found on at any Ohio Lottery Retailer, all Ohio Lottery Regional offices or from this web site's Cash Explosion pages.

You can also include a self-addressed postcard in the envelope with your entry ticket and the Lottery will mail it back to you with a stamped date informing you when to watch the show. Pre-printed postcards can also be picked up at any Ohio Lottery retailer.

Why does it take so long for my ticket to be in a Drawing after I send it in?
To give the selected Contestants enough notice to attend the show taping for which they have been selected. The Cash Explosion® Show is taped on a monthly schedule (four (4) shows at a time) and therefore, the Ohio Lottery must notify Contestants early enough to accommodate this schedule.


Does the Show’s winner keep the money they win in the Semi Final Game in addition to the Championship prize?
No, the Semi Final Game winnings are exchanged for the Championship prize amount of $50,000. Likewise if the returning champion wins the Championship Game, he/she exchanges the $50,000 for the $100,000. If successful, a contestant can keep winning indefinitely, earning an additional $100,000 for each win after the initial $100,000.

What if I don’t see the show in which my name appeared as a future Contestant?
Not to worry. Although we would like you to watch every Cash Explosion® Double Play show, it is not required in order to win.

Future Contestants will be contacted by the Ohio Lottery the week following the show in which their name was announced. If you are too excited to wait for the phone call from the Ohio Lottery, you can also call the Game Show Bureau at 216-774-5687, or toll free at 1-800-686-4208, option #5.


What are Bonus Squares?

The Bonus Squares is the current prizes associated with Bonus Squares on the semi final and championship game boards.

Contestants who select a Bonus Square during a Semi Final game wins the Bonus Bucks associated with that square of either $10,000 or $25,000. The Bonus Bucks is not added to the Contestant’s game score but is received as a separate prize amount. There is also a cash amount associated with the Bonus square that will be added to the Contestants game score. The Bonus Bucks is received as a separate prize amount.

Contestants who select a Bonus Square during the Championship Game wins the Bonus Bucks associated with that square of either $5,000 or 10,000. The Bonus Bucks is received as a separate prize amount.

The Bonus Bucks is not exchanged or forfeited for the Championship Prize amount if the Contestant wins the Championship Game.