POWERBALL players have been urged to double check their tickets as two prizes worth $50,000 each have still not been claimed.
Lotto chiefs have warned that the tickets will become worthless if players do nothing.
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The two tickets were sold in Missouri and bought at outlets in Belton and Blue Springs.
One player bought their slip from a Price Chopper location, while the other purchased their ticket from a Speedway store, per KCTV-TV.
Missouri lotto chiefs revealed the tickets were sold on the same day – September 30 last year.
And, they will expire on March 29.
Lotto officials revealed the tickets matched four numbers and the Powerball on that draw.
Players must defy odds of one in around 913,000 to land the second highest non-jackpot prize.
And, both gamblers were only one number away from landing the grand prize.
On September 30, the prize stood at $258 million – with an estimated cash value of $129.5 million.
No player won the grand prize on that occasion.
Gamblers have been warned that the money will be added to a pot that’s used to improve education in the state if they don’t come forward.
The next Powerball draw takes place on Wednesday and the cash pot stands at a whopping $416 million.
It has an estimated cash value of $194.1 million.
No players came up trumps and won the jackpot on Monday.
It costs a player just $2 to test their luck on the game of chance, but another popular lotto game is to see a price hike.
And, it will come into effect in weeks.
From April 5, Mega Millions players will have to pay $5 for a ticket.
It is just one change that will be coming into force, affecting all players.
But, players will have better chances of winning the jackpot.
Currently, the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot stand at one in around 302 million.
Prize pots will grow faster than before and tickets will include a built in multiplier.
However, the overhaul will see one prize disappear entirely.
Chiefs have confirmed break even prizes will be a thing of the past.
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.
States With 6-Month Lottery Claim Windows
Some states have differing deadlines for when lottery players can claim prizes. Most allow a 180-day or one-year window before tickets expire and the money is forfeited. Below are the 180-day states:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Credit: Jackpocket
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