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A LUCKY lottery player is heading into Christmas having won a top prize in the Powerball game – but may well not realize it yet.
The anonymous winner is a massive $1 million richer, having purchased their ticket at a gas station in Michigan in September.
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He or she missed out on the jackpot, but matched all five numbers on the white balls in the September 4 draw to score their big prize.
The winning numbers in that game were 7, 10, 21, 33, 59 and the Powerball 20.
Though nobody selected the winning numbers of the two top prizes, the unknown player has nonetheless won a life-changing sum.
The ticket was bought at MD Westland LLC, a popular gas station in Westland, Wayne County, around 18 miles from Detroit.
The anonymous winner has until 4:45 pm on September 4, 2025 to claim their prize under Michigan state lottery rules.
If the player still hasn’t come forward by the deadline then they will forfeit the right to the prize money.
In Powerball, if prizes remain unclaimed then a share of the money goes to each state where the game is played.
From there the money could end up back in the lottery or be used to help fund state works and programs.
CLAIMING THE CASH
In Michigan, winnings over $100,000 have to be claimed at lottery headquarters in Lansing, after scheduling an appointment with the office.
In this case, the anonymous winner of the $1 million should sign the back of the winning ticket before heading to lottery HQ.
The winner will also need a valid photo ID, such as a drivers license or Social Security card.
The prize must be claimed in Michigan as that’s where the ticket was bought, which may mean a long trip if the winner lives out of state, but it would be well worth the journey.
POWERBALL POWERS ON
Powerball is hugely popular across the country and is played in 48 US lottery jurisdictions.
How long players have to claim prizes varies by state, from 90 days up to a full year – as is the case in Michigan.
Tickets cost $2 and can be entered into draws held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.
Players choose five numbers on the white balls between 1 and 69, then one number for the red Powerball, between 1 and 26.
In Powerball, the jackpot increases until it’s won, so some winners win more money than others, depending on how long the prize pot has been growing.
The biggest jackpot to date is $2.04 billion won in California in 2022, according to the Powerball website.
Winners of the top prize can choose to receive their money as a lump sum or as an annuity over 29 years.
This latest Michigan lottery winner isn’t alone in not claiming their prize.
Another $1 million is currently unclaimed in Missouri from a Mega Millions draw in November.
While in Florida a Mega Millions winner is set to become $5 million richer when they claim their prize from the December 10 draw.
Responsible gambling
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
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat
