A lottery player in Florida may have missed out on a life-changing windfall of $36 million after failing to validate their winning Mega Millions ticket before the deadline, according to the Florida Lottery.
Unclaimed Prize
The winning Quick Pick ticket, purchased at a Publix store in Jacksonville, remained unclaimed as the 180-day claim period for the August Mega Millions drawing expired on February 11th. Despite the potential fortune, the ticket holder failed to step forward and announce their win.
Quick Pick Option
The Quick Pick option, which randomly selects lottery numbers using a machine, led to the creation of the winning ticket. This option, available for $2, offers players a convenient way to participate in the lottery without selecting their own numbers.
Distribution of Funds
Per Florida law, the unclaimed prize money will be allocated according to specific guidelines. Eighty percent of the funds will be directed to a trust fund dedicated to education, while the remaining 20 percent will contribute to the lottery’s prize pool.
Validation Process
To validate the substantial cash prize, the ticket holder must visit the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee to authenticate the ticket. Failure to complete this validation process within the specified timeframe results in forfeiture of the prize.
Previous Incidents
This isn’t the first time a significant lottery prize has gone unclaimed in Florida. In December, another Mega Millions ticket worth $44 million was forfeited by the ticket holder. Similarly, incidents of unclaimed prizes have occurred in other states as well, including California.
Mega Millions Reach
Mega Millions, available in 45 states, Washington DC, and the Virgin Islands, offers players across the country the chance to win life-changing sums of money. Despite its widespread availability, cases of unclaimed prizes serve as a reminder for lottery participants to check their tickets diligently and claim their winnings promptly.
Business Insider has reached out to Mega Millions for additional comment on the unclaimed prize in Florida.
