What happens to the big check that you are presented when you win a sweepstakes or lottery?

Question

You always see the commercials for PCH where people are presented these huge cardboard checks. Do they have to take those to the bank or do they get to keep them, or what happens to them?

Answer 1

Some places let you keep them but as for a place like a casino, they keep it.  It is basically a white board that is used for the picture and then just erased for next time.

Answer 2

Those checks are souveniers for the people who win. They have no actual value (except maybe on Ebay). They are usually just for photo ops, and then the people can keep them. The handing over of the actual money is much more secure. Most simply transfer the money into a bank account of yours.

Answer 3

I would want to keep it and hang it on my wall...not sure what really happens though...

Answer 4

They are only used for the photos and then the winner can keep it.  They are given a regular check to take to their bank.

If you look really closely you will see that there are usually no routing and account numbers across the bottom of the big check.