LOTTERY officials have urged players to check their Mega Millions tickets as a $344 million jackpot is still unclaimed.
There’s a dozen prizes worth $100,000 or more that still need to be claimed in one specific state, and the life-changing sums still need a home.
APThere’s a dozen prizes worth $100,000 or more that still need to be claimed in one specific state[/caption]The Illinois Lottery has revealed the several unclaimed games that people need to come forward for fast.
In the Mega Millions, one mystery player won the $344 million jackpot, but we just don’t know who yet.
The slip was drawn on March 25, 2025 at a Caseys General Store in Cortland on Somonauk Road in Illinois.
Players have a year after the game was drawn to come forward.
While there is still a lot of time for this to happen, given the massive sum at play, the ticket holder is still strongly advised to reveal themselves as soon as possible.
This isn’t the only prize in the millions that still needs an owner, however.
Also in the Mega Millions, a ticket worth $1 million was drawn at a Tony’s Finer Foods in Chicago on February 25, 2025.
In the Powerball, another $1 million was pulled at a Jewel Food Store in Melrose Park.
The game was drawn on December 21, 2024.
And the final million dollar prize was drawn in the Lucky Day Lotto on September 8, 2024.
This ticket is worth $1.1 million, and was bought at a Miskas Liquor.
In all of these cases, the player has a year from the day the winning numbers were taken to come forward with the right ticket.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
That may be the last of the million dollar jackpots, but there are still plenty of other high prizes going.
Notably, also in the Lucky Day lotto, a still respectable $650,000 jackpot is up for grabs, with the winning numbers being drawn on February 7, 2025.
The ticket was bought at Woodmans Food Market in Rockford.
The Lucky Day Lotto is actually giving out a lot of prizes in Illinois right now.
The game is looking for the rightful owner of a $450,002 ticket.
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.
The numbers for this particular game were drawn on March 5, 2025, and the ticket was bought at a CVS in Cicero.
Players who believe they are sitting on the fortunes can check their ticket against the Illinois Lottery app ticket scanner or by scanning your ticket in-store to determine if you hold a winning ticket.
Alternatively, you can head to the Illinois Lottery website to find out more information.
This page the full list of 12 games that are still open in the state.
GettyIn the Mega Millions, one mystery player won the $344 million jackpot, but we just don’t know who yet[/caption] Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Officials urge to check tickets as $344m Mega Millions jackpot still unclaimed – and slip was bought at ‘general store’ )
Also on site :