How to get money from my iHOPE account

Since its inaugural year in 1992, the Georgia Lottery Corporation (GLC) has invested $27.6 billion in education, $14 billion of which has been distributed to 2.1 million students through the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship Program.

While the bulk of these funds come from in-store scratcher sales—$3.694 billion in 2023—coin-operated amusement machines (COAMs) and Diggi games on the iHOPE platform also significantly contribute to the GLC’s revenue: $159.2 million and $782.4 million in 2023, respectively. These additional revenue streams allowed all students who met the HOPE Scholarship requirements to receive 100% tuition coverage starting in the Fall of 2023.

COAM operators can further support the HOPE Scholarship and other educational initiatives by encouraging frequent players to channel their skill game winnings back into the GLC through their iHOPE digital lottery platform. However, patrons who have never used the platform may feel uncomfortable using the site or app because they are unsure how it works.

Taking the time to educate oneself on the ins and outs empowers Location License Holders (LLHs) to fill in those gaps for their customers and begin to build a community of informed, confident players who trust your business to deliver not just an excellent gaming experience but all the necessary supports to enjoy it to the fullest.

We encourage our LLH partners to use these FAQs as a jumping-off point for educating curious patrons on the process, from signing up to cashing out.

What Games Are Available on the GA Lottery Site?

Per the GA Lottery overview, they currently offer:

• Approximately 60-65 instant games
• 11 draw games including CASH 3, CASH 4, Cash Pop, Georgia FIVE, Cash4Life, Fantasy 5, Jumbo Bucks Lotto, Mega Millions, Powerball, Quick Win, and KENO!
• Online play with Diggi games is available for players located in Georgia.

How Do I Sign Up for an iHOPE Account?

The first step to using an iHOPE account is filling out the sign-up form:

• Go to the GA Lottery website.
• Click the orange “Register” button in the top right corner.
• Fill out the necessary personal information, including first and last name, email address, password, and date of birth. This information must be accurate and match state identification.
• If applicable, enter a Promo Code.
• Click the box next to “Enable This Account to Purchase Lottery Tickets Online” if of legal gambling age.
• Choose two security questions and answers.
• Turn preferred notification settings on or off.
• Review the Georgia Lottery Terms of Use, then check the box to agree.
• Click “Submit” to go to the next page.
• Enter all contact information, including street address, primary phone number, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
• Click “Submit” again.

Once the site has verified the user’s identity, their account will receive its Player’s Club designation, at which point they’ll gain access to an e-wallet that they can fund with their preferred payment method.

How Do I Add Funds to My iHOPE E-Wallet?

The iHOPE portal can have one bank account, three debit cards, and one PayPal account on file per user. The process of adding each funding source has some key differences to note.

To add a bank account to an iHOPE e-wallet:

1. Go to the GA Lottery website.
2. Click the green “Sign In” button in the upper right-hand corner.
3. Provide the appropriate credentials in the pop-up box and click “Sign In” again.
4. Once on the homepage, click the green box at the top that says “Hello, [Your Name]” and choose “My Account.
5. Click “Funding Sources,” then select “Add New Funding Source.” Choose “Bank Account.”
6. Provide the requested state ID, military ID, or driver’s license information, which the payment processor will use to check creditworthiness.
7. To agree to the Terms of Service, check the box and select “Submit.”

To add debit cards to an iHOPE e-wallet:

1. Follow steps 1-4 from above.
2. Click “Funding Sources,” then select “Add New Funding Source.” Choose “Debit Card.”
3. Enter the debit card information and press the “Submit” button.

To add a PayPal account to an iHOPE e-wallet:

1. Follow steps 1-4 from above.
2. Click “Funding Sources,” then select “Add New Funding Source.” Choose “PayPal.”
3. Enter the desired funding amount, up to $250, and click “Submit.”
4. Login with PayPal credentials to complete the transaction.
5. PayPal will now be listed as a funding source.

How Do I Get Money From My iHOPE Account?

To withdraw money from an iHope account, users must initiate an electronic funds transfer (EFT) to deposit it in the bank or PayPal account they use as a funding source.

1. Go to the GA Lottery website.
2. Click the green “Sign In” button in the upper right-hand corner.
3. Provide the appropriate credentials in the pop-up box and click “Sign In” again.
4. Once on the homepage, click the green box at the top that says “Hello, [Your Name]” and choose “My Account.”
5. Select “Transfer Funds.”
6. Select the correct bank or PayPal account, enter the amount for transfer, and click “Submit.” If applicable, users may have to sign in to their PayPal account when the window opens.
7. Confirm the requested amount, then click “Transfer Funds.”
8. Wait 3-5 business days for the funds to arrive.

It’s important to note that they cannot transfer funds to their debit card or withdraw funds that aren’t prize winnings, such as money they added to purchase online plays.

Can I Access All of My Winnings From My iHOPE Account?

The GLC will only deposit prizes to the iHOPE account if they meet two criteria: The winning ticket was purchased through the browser site or app, and the prize is less than or equal to $600. The GA Lottery website’s “How to Claim” page provides more information about claim centers, including a tool to schedule an appointment and their identification policy.

Supporting Georgia’s Future Today

As members of the GA Lottery system, INAMAX is proud to support the Georgia HOPE Scholarship and the students who achieve their aspirations through the program. To that end, we consider it essential that we are the industry standard for innovation, legal compliance, and customer support because the better our LLH partners are able to operate their COAMs, the more HOPE Scholarship applications get funded.

Are you a small business owner interested in maximizing your positive community impact and revenue potential?

Contact INAMAX today to learn more about how our combined industry experience fuels explosive skill gaming revenue growth—up to $5,000 per month, 17% higher than the Georgia average.