Mega Millions Winner May Lose Jackpot Saturday
Imagine you’ve won nearly $200,000,000… but you never figure it out. That’s the case right now. If a Mega Millions winner doesn’t claim their prize by tomorrow, Saturday, December 7th, they will lose it all.
The California Lottery has been waiting for the winner of a $197.5 million Mega Millions drawing to show up and claim their prize. Days went by. Then weeks. Then months. But the contest rules are clear, you have one year to claim your prize, and if you don’t the prize is forfeited. Poof, goodbye.
Details On The Mega Millions Winner
Here’s what we know. A person walked into the Chevron gas station in Encino, California and bought a ticket. They hit the jackpot. That’s it. That’s what we know.
Is there security footage? Yes, probably. Security footage is usually used to confirm the identity of the ticket purchaser. While California lottery law requires the winner to share their name and location, it doesn’t require them to show their face so they obviously aren’t parading the person’s photo everywhere.
There is an off chance the winner knows and is waiting until the last second to get everything in order. But the chances are more likely that the winner simply doesn’t know they won. The ticket could be in a landfill somewhere. Hell, have you bought a bunch of quick-picks when visiting a lottery state? The numbers will make you go cross-eyed.
What Happens If The Money Isn’t Claimed
If after a year the Mega Millions winner doesn’t claim the prize, the money has to go somewhere. And it does – it returns to the states. In this case, California will keep its cut, and the rest will spread to other states that also take part in Mega Millions.
Some good will come of that money. Depending on the state, it can go back to schools, first responders and more. But that will be little comfort to the Mega Millions winner who could have been. Unless they never find out.
