Unclaimed Million-Dollar Powerball Ticket to Expire Soon in Texas
A winning Powerball ticket worth $1 million has yet to be claimed in Paris, Texas, and will expire on Thursday. The ticket, purchased at the Tiger Mart 75, matched the five white balls (19-25-48-55-60) from the Oct. 22, 2022, drawing, but failed to align with the red Powerball (18), according to Dallas Metro News. The question that looms over the jackpot is, what happens to the prize money if the winner doesn’t come forward?
Normally, a winner has a 180-day period to claim their prize, but in this case, time is running out. After Thursday, the Texas Lottery website states that the ticket will be forfeited, and the cash will be directed towards the state. The Texas Lottery assures the public that all unclaimed prizes from scratch and draw games are utilized for programs authorized by the state legislature, with the Foundation School Fund and Fund for Veterans’ Assistance as the primary beneficiaries.
Since its inception 32 years ago, through Feb. 28, 2023, the Texas Lottery has transferred over $1.5 billion in unclaimed winnings back to the state, averaging to an astounding $47 million in unclaimed winnings per year. In light of this, the Texas Lottery urges all those who have played in the past to check their tickets and claim any outstanding prizes.
The impact of the Texas Lottery program is massive, having generated $36.8 billion in revenue for the state since 1992. Additionally, the Texas Lottery has dispersed $80.5 billion in prizes to lucky lottery players since its launch. The Foundation School Fund, which supports public education in Texas, has received a contribution of $30.8 billion from the Texas Lottery since 1997. Furthermore, the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, which provides support for Texas veterans, has been a recipient of more than $210 million from the Texas Lottery since 2009.
As the clock ticks down, the Texas Lottery urges anyone who has purchased a lottery ticket to double-check their numbers and seize the opportunity to claim the unclaimed million-dollar prize. If the winner fails to claim the prize, the Texas Lottery’s automatic regulation will return it to the state, where it will be used to support programs authorized by the state legislature.
