Anonymous winner has days left to claim $2m Powerball prize bought at a convenience store or money is gone for good
Only days remain for an unidentified Powerball winner to come forward and claim their multi-million-dollar prize. If the ticket is not validated by the looming deadline, the life-changing money will be forfeited.
$2 Million Powerball Win
Texas Lottery officials are urgently searching for the unknown ticket holder who won $2 million in the Powerball drawing held on April 10 of this year, according to CBS Austin. The winning numbers were five white balls: 6, 7, 12, 24, and 36, along with a red Powerball of 15. The lucky player matched all five white balls using a Quick Pick ticket and opted for the Power Play feature, which doubled the prize to $2 million.
Ticket Purchase Location
Ryan Mindell, the executive director of the Texas Lottery, confirmed that the winning ticket was purchased at a C Mart convenience store in Austin. He encourages frequent customers of the store to double-check their tickets, stating, “We encourage our Powerball players to take another look at their tickets, and if your numbers match, sign the back of the ticket before claiming your prize at a Texas Lottery claim center.” Mindell expressed hopes of celebrating the winner’s good fortune.
Claiming Deadline Approaching
Texas Lottery rules allow a 180-day window for players to claim their prize money. The $2 million Powerball win from April 10 will expire on October 7, which is quickly approaching. If the unidentified winner does not visit a lottery claim center or mail in their ticket by the deadline, the money will be redistributed elsewhere. According to the Houston Chronicle, the funds will instead go toward state programs determined by the Texas legislature.
Prize Collection Options
Should the winner claim their prize by October 7, they will face a critical decision on how to collect the prize money. U.S. lottery players have the option to take a cash lump sum or receive payments through an annuity over several years. Some legal experts recommend the annuity option for ensuring financial security, particularly to avoid potential mistakes in handling a significant sum.
Tax Implications
While many players opt for the lump sum, they must be aware of the substantial immediate taxation involved. The federal government imposes a 24% tax on all lottery winnings above $5,000. Fortunately for Texas players, there is no state income tax. Consequently, for a $2 million Powerball win, approximately $480,000 would be deducted for federal taxes, leaving the winner with around $1.52 million—a significant return on their investment.
Other Unclaimed Prizes
Several other unclaimed tickets worth similar amounts remain in various states. For example, officials in Illinois are searching for a $1 million Powerball winner whose ticket was purchased at a gas station in Chicago. Additionally, a $50,000 prize in New York also lacks a confirmed winner as the deadline to claim approaches.
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