The Pennsylvania Lottery's official mobile app now allows players to scan instant game tickets to see if they have won a prize.

"By adding this new instant ticket checker feature on our app, we've taken another big step in creating convenience for players," said Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko.

Svitko says players have been asking for the ability to quickly scan their instant tickets to learn if they have won a prize since their smartphone app was introduced in 2014.

To use the instant ticket checker, players need to open the ticket checker on the mobile app and point the camera on the scratched off barcode. The app will indicate whether the ticket has won a prize.

Tickets must be physically presented for prize validation by having it scanned at a Lottery retailer's sales terminal or by submitting the signed ticket with a completed claim form to a Lottery office.

Only a properly validated winning ticket may be used to claim a prize.

The mobile app's ticket checker feature currently works only for instant games. Tickets for draw games must be checked using a self-service scanner found at Lottery retailers.

The mobile app's other features include:

• The ability to scan eligible tickets for entry in second-chance drawings
• Access to the VIP Players Club
• Daily and past winning numbers
• Current jackpots
• The latest instant games and "Scratch For Fun”
• Prizes remaining for instant games
• "Play for Fun" games
• A retailer locator
• Information on how to claim a prize

The Pennsylvania Lottery's official smartphone app is available for free through Google Play and the Apple App Store,

The mobile app has been downloaded more than 270,000 times since its launch.