Powerball warning as $2million prize still remains unclaimed – and the ticket was sold at gas station

POWERBALL players have been urged to check their numbers as a $2million prize remains unclaimed.

The ticket was bought at a gas station in Bay City, Texas – located around 80 miles from Houston.

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One player bought the ticket ahead of the September 16 draw but agonizingly missed out on the top prize.

They would’ve scooped a whopping $165 million had they hit the jackpot – but still took home a tidy $2 million.

The player took advantage of the Power Play option by spending an extra dollar.

This meant they doubled the prize from $1 million to $2 million after matching five numbers.

And, the player opted to have their numbers randomly selected by a machine rather than choosing them individually.

The Powerball jackpot was not won on Monday night and no player on Wednesday managed to take home the bumper amount.

This means it has rolled over and the prize pot now stands at a whopping $195 million.

It has a cash value of $99.1 million.

Americans just have to fork out $2 on a Powerball ticket and the game is played in 45 states.

Players must defy the odds of one in 292.2 million to scoop the jackpot.

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.