Instant Tabs are sold by the Arizona Lottery as an alternative to scratchers. They still provide an opportunity to win prizes within seconds, but they work a bit differently.
Rather than scratching off the coating on your ticket to reveal what is underneath, Instant Tab games require you to open perforated windows to get to the play symbols. Match three identical symbols in a row and you’ll win the associated prize for that symbol.
Just like scratch games, pull tabs also come in a variety of themes and there are a few price points to choose from. However, the cost is generally much lower than scratchers – between $0.50 and $2. The top prizes reflect the lower cost, as they can range from $50 to $40.
You have to claim Arizona pull tab prizes from the same business where you purchased the game, and on the same day.
Instant Tabs aren’t available at every Arizona Lottery retail location. Instead, you generally find them at bars, restaurants and charitable organizations.
Instant Tab games first went on sale in 2011, before becoming more widespread a few years later. The proceeds help to benefit the state in a number of different sectors.
As well as higher education, health and human services, and the environment, the money raised from Instant Tabs supports economic and business development.
The Arizona Lottery also uses part of the proceeds from pull-tab games in AZ in its annual contribution to the Internet Crimes Against Children Enforcement Fund and the Victims’ Rights Enforcement Fund.