PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) -- Players are using the South Dakota Lottery's new mobile-cashing app to get their winnings. It saves time and fuel, because they no longer have to drive to the lottery' redemption centers in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City to submit their claims. More details in s tate employee child porn case But they also have to join the lottery's Players Club to get the mobile-cashing app. Players can use the app to claim prizes of $101 to $5,000 won on instant scratch-off tickets and the various lotto offerings. Prizes of $100 or less will still be paid by businesses that sell those products. The app originally was scheduled to launch in November, but technical issues delayed the start until February 18. Through March 21, players made 87 claims through the app, Clark Hepper, the lottery's assistant director, told the South Dakota Lottery Commission on Thursday. He cited data showing claims came from 41 cities in South Dakota, as well as from all six neighboring states, according to Hepper. The largest prize claimed through the app so far was $1,000. First-time users of the app may face a wait up to eight business days for money to be transferred to their bank accounts. Most claims made through the app are completed within four business days. Hepper said the lottery chose to do what he described as "a soft launch" with social media posts, sending emails to players and issuing a news release. There are also rack cards that explain how the mobile cashing feature works, posters in retail businesses and messages on instant tickets. Going forward, the lottery plans to buy some media time and use billboards to advertise the new app. Hepper said the lottery also intends to survey players to see what they like about it and what enhancements they might suggest. Lottery marketing director Wade LaRoche said there have been nearly 38,000 downloads of the app so far. He said players can scan tickets to enter second-chance drawings. He also likes the ability to send ‘push’ notifications to players such as during lotto jackpot runs. The commission's chair, Steve Harding of Pierre, said the mobile-cashing app reflects South Dakota's rural nature. "I find this very encouraging, to be honest with you," Harding told Hepper. "In the future I think there's to going to be more and more use as people become aware of it." ...read more read less