[Q] How/where do I get a number to play?
Registration forms are available from Participating Retailers and at special events of the Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association.
Tear off and keep your piece of the form and deposit the registration form in the Rural Riches box. You are now a registered player with a unique number; however, your number must be played in order to win any weekly draw. This number is your number for life or until you retire your number.
You may start playing right away by writing your registered number, full name and phone number on a Rural Riches Weekly Play envelope, putting your Toonie in the envelope, sealing it and placing the envelope in the box.

[Q] When is the draw?
The cut-off time at our retail stores is Wednesday at Noon each week on . Weekly draws from registered numbers are made every Wednesday at approximately 5:30 p.m. and the winner will be notified by telephone and/or email that same evening. The winner will also be announced on our website, on Facebook, and in the next edition of LighthouseNOW Progress Bulletin.
 
[Q] How do I play the Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association lottery?
Go to a Participating Retailer.
Take a Weekly Play envelope from the Rural Riches display (or ask the retailer).
Clearly write your registered number, full name and phone number on the envelope. 
Put the Toonie in the envelope, seal it and deposit it in the Rural Riches box.
 
[Q] Can I use another type of envelope?
No, we can only process our envelopes.
 
[Q] Can I put the Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association registration in my child’s name?
No, the NS Lottery Licence requires all players be 19-years of age or older.
 
[Q] What’s the deadline to play each week?
Boxes are picked up shortly after 12:00 Noon every Wednesday. Weather conditions may cause a delay in pick-up. Snow storms and other predicted weather events may mean boxes are picked up early. In this case, we will provide as much notice as possible via our website, Facebook and via email if you’ve provided your email address.
The draw takes place every Wednesday evening in a secure room, and is witnessed by at least three people.
Players are encouraged to play before noon on Wednesday – (before Wednesday in the winter) Toonies played after that time may not be in the current week’s draw.
 
[Q] Is the draw made from the Toonies played that week?
No, the draw is made from the registered numbers, including those that were registered during the week up until the pick-up time.
 
[Q] How long is my number in the draw?
The number is yours and in the draw until you retire it. If you wish to retire your number, inform Rural Riches by email at info@ruralriches.ca or call 902 624-0890.
 
[Q] Can I play more than one number?
Yes, but you must complete a Registration Form for each new number. As the draw is from the registered numbers, it is better to play more than one number. Playing the same number multiple times does not increase your odds of winning.
 
[Q] Is there a benefit to playing the same number several times in one week?
No. As the draw is made from the registered numbers, each number only has one chance to win. To enter more than once per week, more than one number must be registered. There is no limit to the quantity of numbers for which an individual may register and play. Players must be individuals not groups
 
[Q] What is the prize?
50% of the amount collected that week goes to the winner. The remaining 50% after 8% administration fees goes to support the Lunenburg County Community Fund, the Mahone Bay Centre, United Way of Lunenburg County and many other participating Lunenburg County non-profit organizations for their community service projects.
 
[Q] Is there a winner every week?
Not necessarily. If a registered number is drawn and that number was not played that week, the prize rolls over to the next week. After 4 consecutive rollover weeks, on the 5th week draws will continue until a winning number is drawn. Each week the number drawn and the name of the player will be announced as either a winner or a non-winner resulting in a rollover.
 
[Q] How many Lunenburg County non-profit Groups are supported?
Lunenburg County non-profit organizations are invited to apply to be granted monies from the funds raised by the Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association. Organizations we have supported are listed on our website.
 
[Q] Can I play in advance?
If you wish to pay for Future Draws, cash payments will be accepted for a minimum of 10 weeks ($20) to a maximum of 52 weeks ($104) using a Future Play envelope. When using a Future Play envelope,  include your registered number, your full name, phone number, the weeks played and the amount in the envelope, place your cash inside, seal the envelope and place it in the draw box. Future Play envelopes will be handled separately from the current draw and therefore cannot be used to play in this week’s draw.

[Q] Can I obtain a tax receipt for any money played on the lottery?
No. The Rural Riches  is a  50/50 lottery, the Toonie plays are not considered charitable contributions for tax receipt purposes.
 
[Q] If I am a winner, how am I notified?
The winner will be contacted by phone and/or email as soon as possible after the draw.
Winners names and the winning number will be listed on the Rural Riches website, on Facebook, and in the next edition of LighthouseNOW Progress Bulletin.
 
[Q] If I win, will my name and photo be published?
Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association reserves the right to publish the name, community, winning number, and photo of the winner. However, winners will not be forced to have their pictures published. If there is no winner for the week, the number drawn, ‘roll-over’ winnings will be published as a non-winner.
 
Q] If I lose, my number was drawn but I didn’t play, will my name be published?
No, Rural Riches will only publish the number draw.  If you didn’t play that week but your number was drawn your number will be described as not played.
 
[Q] If I win, how do I collect my winnings?
Rural Riches Management will contact the winner and arrange a meeting time and place where they will be presented with a cheque. Winners will be required to provide photo ID. During the Covid-19 pandemic cheques will be mailed out to the address we have one file.
 
[Q] Do I have to play at the same location every week?
No, you can play at any one of our Participating Retailers.

[Q] What happens if I forget my number?
Your unique number is registered with Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association.  If you have forgotten your number, please contact Rural Riches by telephone, email, or by regular mail.
​902 624-0890; info@ruralriches.ca or Box 489 Mahone Bay, B0J 2E0
 
[Q] Do you have to live in the Lunenburg County area in order to play?
No, you do not. However, you must register your number at one of the participating retailers which are in Lunenburg County: the retailers where you play are in Lunenburg County only; the funds raised via the 50-50 lottery are invested in projects, programs and services exclusively in Lunenburg County. You must be a Nova Scotia resident.
 
[Q] Are the volunteers, partners, retailers, sponsors, and other organizations associated with the Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association — including employees, spouses, and other direct family members or individuals residing in the same household — eligible to play the game?
Not necessarily, the lottery license applicants and the person(s) conducting the draw cannot have a number in that week's draw. Family members and volunteers can play because strict security and transparency allow the draws from registered numbers to be random and fair.
 
[Q] How long do I have to claim my prize?
Winners have 90-days from the date of the draw to claim their prize. Should a winner not collect their prize within 90-day a second draw from the same numbers will occur after 90 days.  

 [Q] Can I play the number of a family member who died?
No, if the number drawn is registered to a person who played it while living but died prior to being advised of their win, the prize will be awarded to the estate representative as determined by civil law. If a registered player dies their number/s must be re-registered to a living person or deregistered. Nova Scotia Lottery rules do not allow deceased people to win.
 
[Q] Where does the money go?
50% of the proceeds goes to the winner, 15% goes to admin and the remaining 35% is provided to a variety of community organizations. The list of benefiting organizations is on our homepage.