Sounds.like they are going the way of Detroit
Will you buy Illinois lottery tickets for the next lottery? If you win more than $25,000, all you get is an IOU!
Does the Lottery actually say WHEN the payout will be, on the ticket?
If so ... Any delay is a breach of contract, and the winner could sue for damages.
It seems to me, the reason is pure Bovine Scat. Most lotteries have to set up an escrow account for their money, until winners are paid. The lottery should have the money in it's escrow account to pay the winner(s).
All money is I owe you, on the top it says "I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of Ten pounds" or Five pounds etc. Read your dollars it is the same. You need to find out if you can spend it like money.