TIME is running out fast for a lottery player in one state to come forward and claim $100,000.
The lucky Powerball winner will forfeit the payment if they don’t make it by the looming deadline of October 2, 2024.
The player won $100,000 on October 2, 2023[/caption]
Powerball prizes must be claimed within a year in Massachusetts[/caption]
Residents in Massachusetts have been advised to double-check any Powerball tickets they might’ve purchased for the drawing on the same date in 2023.
Lottery players in the state are only allowed a one-year window for players to claim prizes, per Mass.gov.
The unidentified winner purchased their ticket at a Shell gas station in Worcester, according to a release from Massachusetts Lottery officials.
Drawing results October 2, 2023, showed the numbers 12, 26, 27, 43, 47, and a red Powerball of 5.
The player matched four white balls and the red Powerball with a Power Play selection to get the $100,000 total.
MONEY MANAGED
Assuming they don’t make it by the deadline, the player would lose out on the $100,000.
The funds would then be given back to the State to help residents.
“Lottery prizes that expire become part of the net profit that the Lottery returns to the Commonwealth for distribution to all 351 cities and towns,” the Massachusetts Lottery website reads.
If the unidentified winner does manage to claim their money in time, they’d need to first sign the back of the ticket.
Afterward, because the win is between $601 and $103,000, the player must head in person to a Massachusetts Lottery claim center to validate it.
Claim centers are located in Braintree, Dorchester, Lawrence, New Bedford, West Springfield, and Worcester.
While there, they’d be confronted with the toughest decision in the lottery winning process — how to receive the cash.
TAXING TIMES
Players are always given the option of getting it through a one-time lump sum distribution or annuity payments over several years.
While controversial among some lawyers, many elect the lump sum to get the prize all at once despite significant tax implications.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
The federal government imposes a 24% tax on all lottery wins above $5,000.
States decide their own percentage, and Massachusetts is set at 5%.
That means about $29,000 would be taken out of the $100,000 prize, leaving the winner walking away with about $71,000.
Another Powerball winner in Massachusetts could face the same fate depending on whether or not they come forward by October 7, 2024.
They won $50,000 with their ticket for the October 7, 2023, drawing.
The numbers 47, 54, 57, 60, 65, and a red Powerball of 19 were picked.
Responsible gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat
