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OFFICIALS are urging Mega Million players to check their tickets as a $4million prize bought at a gas station remains unclaimed.
Lotto officials revealed that the mystery winner purchased the ticket in Camden, New Jersey, ahead of the draw on August 20.
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Bosses said the ticket was purchased at Redner’s Market, a grocery store about 14 miles from Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
Fortunately for the lucky player, he has until August 20 next year to claim the eye-watering cash prize.
It is common for Lotto players to be unaware that they’ve won a mega jackpot prize.
Yesterday, Lotto chiefs revealed they are hunting for someone who bagged $1million after buying the ticket from Smokes 4 Less located in Newburgh, New York ahead of the draw on October 1.
The tobacco shop is renowned for selling winning lotto tickets worth millions to hopeful players.
Similarly, officials confirmed that a player who won a whopping $2million in the Mega Millions is still yet to claim their winnings.
The ticket was bought at a gas station in Minnesota ahead of the draw on September 27.
The player matched five numbers but fell agonizingly short of scooping the jackpot, as reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune.
But, they forked out an extra dollar on the Megaplier option.
This meant the standard $1 million prize for matching five numbers was doubled to $2 million.
As these lucky players enjoy their newfound wealth, lottery lawyers have given their tips on what winners should do before coming forward.
LOTTO ADVICE
John Phillips, an attorney, warned players should put their tickets in a waterproof and fireproof location.
He also advised players to sign the back of their tickets.
Then, they shouldn’t talk about their fortune until they actually claim their prize.
He urged winners not to brag about their newfound wealth or post images of the winning slip on social media.
In fact, he said winners should shun the limelight.
Because no player managed to scoop the jackpot, the sum rolled over and now stands at an estimated $108 million.
The total has a cash option of an estimated $53.8 million.
If the jackpot is won, then the player could end up having a tricky decision to make.
They can either receive their prize as a lump sum or in the form of staggered payments, which is known as the annuity.
The lump sum route is the more popular option and has been taken by winners such as Edwin Castro, but it’s not necessarily the best path to go down, according to some lotto lawyers.
Andrew Stoltmann told The U.S. Sun that players who take the lump sum are making a mistake.
Financial adviser Robert Pagliarini also echoed these concerns.
“Lotto winners would be far better off if they chose the annuity,” he told The U.S. Sun.
He warned that one of the big drawbacks of taking the lump sum is that winners only have one chance of making their prize last.
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.
