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ONE lucky person could be $100,000 richer after an unclaimed winning Powerball ticket was bought at a gas station.
The lucky player who bagged the winning numbers bought the ticket in Kansas – with lotto officials urging everyone to check if they’ve won.
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The winning Match 4 plus Powerball (with Power Play) ticket was drawn on October 26, 2024, and must be claimed within one year of the draw.
The lucky numbers drawn were 08, 12, 40, 45, 51, 15.
Powerball drawings are held three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.
How to Claim Prizes
Prizes up to $599 can be claimed from any lottery retailer in Kansas, or at the lottery’s headquarters in Topeka.
Some stores may not have enough cash on hand to pay the money out, in which case you may need to visit a different retailer to receive your money.
For prizes over $599, you must complete a claim form and present it along with the winning ticket at the lottery’s headquarters at the following address:
Kansas Lottery Headquarters
128 N Kansas Avenue,
Topeka, KS 66603
Amounts up to $5,000 will be paid out by check the same day, but prize claims of more than this may take 7-10 days to be processed.
Payments will be made by check or by electronic deposit into your bank account, according to your preference.
For an electronic deposit, you will need to contact the Kansas Lottery Finance Department on 785-296-5734 to obtain a direct deposit form.
Alternatively, you can mail your winning ticket and completed claim form to the address above.
You can choose to have your winnings sent via check in the mail, or arrange to pick up a check at a later date, or you can have the money transferred to your bank account by direct deposit.
DON’T FORGET
Those looking to send in their form and ticket must include specific documents.
Lottery officials also need to see your signature signed on the back of your actual winning ticket as no copies will be accepted.
In addition to the completed claim form, you’ll need a copy of a valid ID and proof of Social Security number.
Valid Id’s include:
- State-Issued Driver’s License
- Voter’s Registration Identification Card
- State-Issued Identification Card
- Military Identification Card
- Passport
- Alien Registration Receipt Card
Just note that your Social Security number must be on a computer-generated document with your name and all nine digits displayed, like a Social Security card, pay stub or tax forms.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
PLAYING POWERBALL
Players must be 18 or older to buy or redeem Lottery tickets.
Each online drawing has a “draw break,” a short period when tickets cannot be purchased on the day of the drawing just before the draw.
However, after the draw occurs, tickets can be purchased again.
Double Play is a new add-on feature to the Powerball game.
For an additional $1 per play, folks get another chance to match Powerball numbers in a second-chance drawing with a top prize of $10 million.
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.
WINNING BIG
An expert recently told the Sun his top tips for winning big in the lottery.
Ashok Singh, a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Nevada and a gaming statistician, urged players to simply purchase as many tickets as they could afford.
A higher number of tickets increases the likelihood of choosing the right combination of numbers.
However, Ashok warned lottery hopefuls that the sheer volume of different numerical combinations still makes a win very unlikely.
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
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.
