White Powder Letter Closes CT Lottery Headquarters in Wallingford, No Hazard Found
Receptionist opened mail containing powder at 15 Sterling Drive; DEEP testing cleared the scene in under three hours
Last updatedFebruary 24, 2026
Connecticut Lottery
Wallingford Lottery Headquarters Closes After Powder Found in Mail
A letter containing a white powdery substance forced the temporary closure of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation headquarters in Wallingford on February 17 after a receptionist opened the mail and a puff of white powder came out, according to WFSB.
Police, fire crews and agents from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the facility at 15 Sterling Drive. DEEP personnel arrived at 1:42 p.m. and conducted testing on the substance. By 2:47 p.m., the scene was cleared after testing confirmed the powder was non-hazardous. No injuries were reported.
The lottery's claims center closed for the remainder of the day and reopened with regular business hours on Wednesday, February 18.
Multi-Agency Response in Under Three Hours
The receptionist discovered the substance at approximately 12:23 p.m. when the letter was opened during routine mail processing at the headquarters, WFSB reported. The discovery triggered a response from local, state and federal officials.
Wallingford police and fire units responded first, followed by DEEP, which conducted environmental testing on site. The Hartford Courant reported that environmental crews found no signs of hazardous materials in the letter. It was unclear how many employees were exposed to the substance during the initial release, according to WFSB.
Wallingford police told WFSB that "the incident did not appear to be particularly suspicious," though no further details about the letter's origin or contents were released.
Lottery Corporation Emphasizes Employee Safety
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation issued a statement following the incident emphasizing its commitment to workplace safety.
"The safety of employees, players, and the public remains the organization's highest priority," the corporation said, according to the Hartford Courant. Officials also expressed gratitude for "the swift response and coordination of its law enforcement and public safety partners."
The headquarters at 15 Sterling Drive serves as the primary administrative and claims-processing hub for the state lottery. The facility is relatively new, having opened in recent years after the corporation relocated its operations to the Wallingford site.
No additional statements from Wallingford police or state officials have been released regarding the investigation. It is unclear whether the letter was sent intentionally or was the result of a contaminated piece of mail.
Lottery Operations Resume With New Game Launch
Four days after the powder incident, the Connecticut Lottery announced the debut of a new national draw game called "Millionaire for Life" on February 21. The game replaces the previous "Lucky for Life" draw as part of a national rollout, WTNH reported.
The announcement signaled a return to normal operations at the Wallingford headquarters. The claims center at 15 Sterling Drive is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for prize redemptions.
