Redeeming winning sports tickets by mail

On several occasions I've purchased tickets in LV for a game or event that was resolved after I returned home. The back of the tickets provide instuctions on how to redeem by mail, and in every case I can remember, they instruct the bettor to redeem by 'registered' mail. Up until now, my winnings were small enough, it seem intuitively correct to not pay the extra amount for registered mail (and I've never had an issue), but I recently send in a larger win and I paid the registered mail fee for the extra comfort.

So my question are:

1) What do others do?
2) What exactly does 'registered' mail buy in terms of extra security?
3) Is there an amount one is collecting from a winning ticket (or tickets) that should determine if 'registered mail' makes mathmatical sense. The variables are the percentage of lost mail and the amount charged by the USPS to send 'registered mail' (in my case $10.95). One might also consider the possibiliy that there could be a higher likelihood of theft using regular mail given that the address the tickets are delivered to almost surely give away that a winning ticket is enclosed.

My buddy and I have redeemed sports tickets by mail with various casinos about 10 times between us and have never had any problems. It takes three weeks to a month to get a check. The largest amount sent was about $200 and the smallest was $6.40.

Per a USPS employee, registered mail travels under lock and key and each postal worker who takes possession of the item has to sign for it. Registered mail travels very slowly as it goes by ground only. This service is generally used for precious metals or very valuable items. The price for registered mail is partially based on the declared value of the shipment.

If postal workers are going to steal mail there are many more lucrative opportunities than stealing sports tickets. I don't know if casinos check ID when cashing tickets where the back has been signed as is done on mail pay tickets. Also, I don't think a person actually reads the address any letters, until they are actually being placed in the PO Box I always make a photo copy of every sports bet I send in case it is lost or stolen.

I have mailed in a few tickets that paid maybe $40 or $50, never had any problem. I think the registered mail thing is more for their benefit. If you come back and claim you mailed them something that was never paid they can say, " Well we told you to mail it registered...."

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I also have sent in several tickets over years using regular mail without a problem. The totals ranged from $40-$200. My recent ticket was $1,050, so I went the registered route, but in hindsight I'm still thinking regular mail may have been the better play.

Quote: MidwestAP

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I also have sent in several tickets over years using regular mail without a problem. The totals ranged from $40-$200. My recent ticket was $1,050, so I went the registered route, but in hindsight I'm still thinking regular mail may have been the better play.

I don't know MidwestAP. I would think for my peace of mind I would send any ticket over $1,000 by registered mail. For me the $10 or so would be worth it.

Does anyone think certified mail might be a good middle option?

No. Certified mail is only good if you want to track the item, etc., and that it has little value if stolen.


Important documents, but ones that can easily be replaced, go by certified mail.

A sports bet ticket (like a winning lottery ticket) is a bearer instrument. If it gets lost or stolen, you're out of luck. A photocopy *MAY* be useful, but no guarantee.

I lost a winning ticket at planet Hollywood one time. It was for $72. The sports book handled it very nicely and figured out my ticket info in their systems. 7 weeks later they sent me a check in the mail.

Well, based upon that response, I'd say that a photocopy could be VERY useful - if your ticket is lost.

If it's stolen, it would probably be cashed before you begin to suspect anything. Therefore, you'd probably be out of luck.

I have never had an issue with mail redemption. The back of the ticket used to say send postage paid return envolope with the ticket, I would do that and a computer generated check would come back. As a test I once sent a $1 "winning" ticket, it was a $1 exacta that had a late scratch, from the M Resort and did not include my Postage paid return envolope, they sent me a hand written check from Cantor Gaming for $1 and they picked up the postage. I have to give it to Cantor for that, even though I feel the ticket writters at the M are assholes, or were last few times I have been there, stoped going because of this.

Anyway back to the issue, I have had tickets at all of the major places, MGM properties, Ceasers properties, William Hill, Cantor, never send certified, never had a problem.