Lottery officials still searching for $1 million Mega Millions mystery winner – and slip was bought as gas station

A LUCKY lotto player could be sitting on a whopping $1million prize without even knowing it.

Lottery officials are still on the hunt for a mystery Mega Millions winner who bought their golden slip at a gas station in Missouri.

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It was purchased back on October 19,2024 at The Pantry, located on 164 Fall Creek Drive in Branson.

The ticket matched five numbers – 23, 26, 35, 41, 43 – in the October 25, 2024 drawing.

It only missed the Mega Ball (7) to hit the full jackpot.

But time is running to claim the $1million prize.

The winning ticket must be claimed by April 23,2025 or the money will go straight back into the state’s public education fund, as per lottery rules.

Officials said that any prize money that is unclaimed 180 days after the draw date of a ticket’s last winning play will go to benefit Missouri public education, according to MO Lottery.com.

This isn’t the first time a life-changing jackpot has gone unclaimed.

There are at least another nine unclaimed winning tickets in Illinois that were purchased at various locations.

In Chicago, a Lucky Day Lotto ticket worth $1,100,000 was sold at Miska’s Liquor, 6410 W. 63rd St., for the September 8, 2024, drawing.

Another unclaimed $1,000,000 Mega Millions ticket was sold at Tony’s Fresh Market, 4608 W. Belmont Ave., for the February 25 drawing.

Meanwhile, in Dolton, a Powerball ticket worth $200,000 was sold at Cito, 44 E. Sibley Blvd., for the November 30, 2024, drawing.

In February, a $433,000 Palmetto Cash 5 ticket purchased in South Carolina was still waiting for its rightful owner.

Elsewhere, an $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot-winning ticket bought in Austin remains unclaimed.

And in California, a Mega Millions player has yet to step forward for a $1.5 million prize.

Lottery players are being urged to dig through their wallets, coat pockets, and old receipts to find any forgotten tickets before the deadlines hit.

Officials also issued a three-step warning to all players.

First, winners should sign the back of their ticket immediately to ensure no one else can claim it.

Second, they must follow the correct claim process based on the prize amount.

For a $100,000 win, the prize can be claimed at a Lottery Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.

Finally, winners need to act fast as Powerball prizes must be claimed within one year of the draw date.

Those opting for a lump sum payment must claim within 60 days, or they will be locked into annuity payments.

Lottery officials stress that claimants should use only one method to avoid delays.

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.