Powerball prize worth $150,000 remains unclaimed – and the ticket was sold at a grocery store
POWERBALL players have been urged to double-check their tickets as a $150,000 prize has not yet been claimed.
And the clock is ticking for the gambler to come forward and collect their fortune.
This is because they don’t have long until the fortune disappears for good.
Pennsylvania lotto chiefs revealed the ticket was bought at a Weis Markets store in Montgomery Borough – around 170 miles from Philadelphia – before the draw on December 11, 2023.
The prize must be claimed by December 11, 2024, per the ABC affiliate WHTM-TV.
The ticket holder matched four numbers and the Powerball.
read more on money
They would’ve normally won $50,000 but forked out an extra dollar on the Power Play.
Their prize tripled to $150,000 as the Power Play multiplier was three.
Lotto bosses have warned the ticket holder to submit a claim form by the deadline.
They have urged them to sign the back of the slip.
Gamblers have odds of around one in 25 when it comes to winning a prize.
Playing the game of chance costs just two dollars, and prizes range from $4 to the jackpot.
Lottery officials urge Powerball players to check tickets as $200k remain unclaimed – and they’re from the same state
To scoop the top prize, gamblers must defy the odds of one in around 292.2 million.
The jackpot wasn’t won on Monday, meaning it has rolled over to an estimated $113 million.
If the prize is won, they face a choice on how to receive it.
Jackpot winners can either receive their prize as a lump sum, or in the form of staggered payments known as the annuity.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.
The annuity is issued as 30 graduated payments over 29 years.
How a jackpot winner receives their prize has sparked debate among lottery lawyers and financial experts.
Legal expert Andrew Stoltmann previously told The U.S. Sun claimed around 90% of winners choose the lump sum option.
He claimed it was one of the first mistakes lotto winners make.
Stoltmann also revealed that gamblers who win such a large fortune don’t know how to handle their newfound wealth.
Meanwhile, financial adviser Robert Pagliarini alluded to the risks of taking the lump sum.
“If you take the lump sum, you have to realize that if you start making mistakes, or bad investments, there’s no do-over,” he told The U.S. Sun.
Read More on The US Sun
And Jared James, the mastermind behind the lotto algorithm Lotto Edge, said players might be wise to take the annuity option.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery 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.
Responsible gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!