Someone in Virginia may have a $1 million Mega Millions ticket in their possession, and they only have less than two weeks before their fortune disappears.
According to lottery officials in Virginia, the individual has not come forward after winning $1 million in the Nov. 22, 2024, drawing. The ticket was bought at a 7-Eleven in Deltaville.
By law, winning tickets in Virginia expire 180 days following the drawing, meaning the ticket will become “worthless” at 5 p.m. on May 21, lottery officials said.
The winning numbers for the November drawing were 13-20-26-32-65, and the Mega Ball number was 2. The ticket matched the first five numbers but missed the Mega Ball number, which meant it missed out on a jackpot of more than $453 million.
What will happen if the prize is unclaimed?
By law, if the prize is unclaimed, the winnings will go to Virginia’s Literary Fund. The fund provides low-interest loans to localities for public school construction, renovations and technology upgrades, lottery officials said.
Whoever the lucky winner is can contact the Virginia Lottery and redeem the ticket at one of its eight customer service centers across the state.
Mega Millions raised ticket prices, odds of winning
Mega Millions announced it would be more than doubling the cost of the game, going from $2 a ticket to $5 in early April.
“Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that’s exactly what this new game delivers,” Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a news release.
Although tickets have become pricier, the possible winnings have increased due to a new built-in multiplier, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or 10 times. According to lottery officials, the game’s odds have also increased, as there’s a 1 in 23 chance of winning, compared to the previous 1 in 24.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800- GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mega Millions winner’s $1 million prize is in jeopardy. Here’s why.
