LOTTO bosses have urged gamblers to double check any tickets that may be lying around as a slip now worth $1 million has not yet been cashed in.
Chiefs have warned that the ticket is on the verge of expiring as a result.
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The ticket dates back to a lottery draw in November and the player came agonizingly close to landing the jackpot.
They matched five numbers on the game of chance and just missed out on a $453 million prize.
But, the ticket is on the verge of expiring and the player must meet a May 21 deadline, as reported by the ABC affiliate WRIC-TV.
That’s because under local law, players must claim prizes within 180 days.
If the player doesn’t come forward, then the ticket will become worthless.
In a bid to jog players memories, the ticket was bought from a 7-Eleven store in Deltaville, Virginia.
If the prize is not claimed, then the money will go to a pot designed to support education in the state.
The Mega Millions jackpot was not won on Friday night, meaning it has rolled over to a whopping $70 million.
The prize pot now has a cash value of $31.8 million.
Earlier this month, a gambler landed a $112 million prize from a draw that took place on April 18.
It was the first jackpot win since the Mega Millions’ revamp on April 5.
Gamblers will have noticed that the price of a ticket has increased from $2 to $5.
But, players now have an increased chance of winning the jackpot.
Previously, gamblers had to defy odds of one in 302.6 million to land the top prize.
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.
- Rosemary Casarotti – $1.22 billion, Mega Millions, December 27 2024, from California
- Unknown winner – $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, from New Jersey
The player defied odds of one in around 290.4 million to land the top prize.
But, the winner now faces a choice to make on how they want to receive their prize.
The gambler can either choose the lump sum, or receive their prize in installments.
But, if they opt to take the lump sum, the player will lose at least $60 million.
This is because the cash value is worth 49.3 million.
And, the winner will be powerless to stop any deductions.
They will have to pay 24% tax to the federal government.
This is a rule that applies to winners who pocket more than $5,000.
In Ohio, winners must pay 3.5% to the state.
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
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.
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