It’s been weeks since the ticket in Illinois won $1.34 billion Mega Millions Jackpot.
No one currently claims the second largest jackpot in the game’s 20-year history. That’s just more than the $153.7 million tickets won in South Carolina in 2018.
Related: How many Mega Millions Jackpots have you won in Ohio? See the list of regional winners here.
The rules for claiming prizes, and the period during which prizes must be claimed, vary from state to state. Mega Millions websiteHowever, the claim period for prizes is generally 90 days to 1 year from the draw date.
illinois lottery said it could take up to a year to announce a winner. However, winners of $250,000 or more may choose to remain anonymous, so the identity of the soon-to-be millionaire cannot be known.
Winners still have time to claim their prize, but they have 60 days from the draw date to choose between cash or an annuity. The winning numbers will be determined with 33 days left after she was drawn on July 29th.
Mega Millions:Where does the jackpot money come from? Let’s see here.
What if no one claims the Mega Millions Jackpot?
If the jackpot prize is not claimed within the prescribed time limit, each state participating in the Mega Millions game will get back all the money donated. States use unclaimed lottery winnings for a variety of purposes, but unclaimed winnings typically remain in state lottery funds. One-third of the funds will be used to support public schools, Reported by the State Journal-Register.
What if I lose my winning lottery ticket?
Mega Millions is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Winners are encouraged to sign the back of their ticket. Anyone with a ticket can submit a claim as long as it is not signed. If you lose your ticket before you sign it and someone else finds it, that person can claim your prize.
How many unclaimed jackpot winnings have you had?
So far, 3 unclaimed jackpot prizesThis is a running list of unclaimed jackpots in recorded Mega Millions history.
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August 1, 2006: $31 million jackpot unclaimed in Queens, NY.
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April 25, 2003: $46 million jackpot unclaimed in Brooklyn, New York.
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December 24, 2002: The $68 million jackpot in New York went unclaimed. No city was identified.
This article was originally published in the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mega Millions: If No One Claimed the $1.34 Billion Jackpot?