WINNER: Lottery officials warn to check Mega Millions tickets as $1m prize remains unclaimed and it was bought at gas station
According to THE SUN, Lottery officials are on a desperate search for the winner of a $1 million Mega Millions prize that remains unclaimed. The life-changing cash prize from the September 6 drawing has yet to be claimed, and the clock is ticking for the lucky player to come forward.
How to Claim the Prize
Residents in Illinois are urged to double-check their tickets from the September 6 drawing to ensure they don’t miss out on this significant prize. The winning numbers were 06, 23, 41, 59, 63, and the Mega Ball was 25. The ticket holder matched all five white numbers but missed the Mega Ball, securing a $1 million win.
The Mega Millions ticket was purchased at a Gas Express station on West 31st Street in Chicago. To claim the prize, the winner must first sign the back of the ticket. They will then need to validate their win at a verified lottery retailer, such as the Gas Express station where the ticket was bought.
Since the prize amount exceeds $600, the winner must either mail their ticket and required forms or visit a lottery claim center in Illinois to finalize the claim. Fortunately, there is some time left before the claim deadline.
Deadline for Claiming
Illinois Lottery rules provide a one-year window for claiming lottery winnings. The deadline for this $1 million prize is September 6, 2025. If the prize remains unclaimed after this date, it will be forfeited and redistributed to future lottery games and Illinois school districts.
Options for Collecting the Prize
Once the winner comes forward, they will need to choose between receiving the prize as a one-time lump sum or as annuity payments spread over several years. Many winners opt for the lump sum, though it is a topic of debate among lottery experts and lawyers.
Choosing the lump sum would result in significant tax deductions. The federal government imposes a 24% tax on all lottery wins above $5,000. Illinois’ state tax rate is 4.95%, according to AARP. This means approximately $289,500 would be deducted from the prize, leaving the winner with about $710,500.
Other Unclaimed Prizes
In addition to this Mega Millions prize, several unclaimed tickets remain across other states. In New York, a $50,000 Powerball prize from the September 9 drawing is still up for grabs. Officials in Iowa are also searching for a $1 million Powerball winner before it’s too late.
