Anonymous Mega Millions player sitting on unclaimed $197.5m ticket – the money will disappear in days
Players of the Mega Millions have been advised to review their numbers since a massive $197.5 million prize has yet to be claimed.
The slip was purchased in California in advance of the December 8, 2023, draw.
According to USA Today, the slip was purchased at a Chevron petrol station in Encino, which is around 20 miles from Los Angeles.
Californian players have up to a year left to claim their winnings, but the time is drawing near.
The money will vanish if the ticket holder doesn’t come forward.
The clock is ticking because the player, who has not been identified, has until December 7 to come forward.
READ MORE ON money
The prize, which at the time was $395 million, was won by two winners.
The second reward has not been claimed, but one player came forward and took their portion of the pot.
According to Carolyn Becker of the California Lottery, “we have no way of knowing who has the second jackpot-winning ticket from that incredible night.”
If the money went unclaimed, she disclosed how it would be used.
Although it’s unfortunate for prospective winners, the expiration of any winning tickets benefits California public schools.
In the end, we can still feel good about it because all unclaimed award money goes toward funding public education.
The location of the ticket purchase determines the window for prize claims.
In California, gamblers have a full year to come forward, while in most places, they have 180 days.
Gamblers in Florida have sixty days to come forward.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions of people hope to win the lotto and become famous and wealthy. These are the largest lottery winners in US history.
- Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
This is a narrative in progress.
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