MEGA Millions players have been urged to double-check their numbers as a winning ticket worth $2.9 million is about to expire.
Players across California face a race against time to advance.
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A player purchased the ticket for the December 12 drawing at an SK gas station in Los Angeles, lottery bosses said.
They matched five numbers and missed the Mega number.
The winner will only have until 5pm local time to come forward and claim the prize, lottery authorities warned.
“Given this weekend deadlinethe Lottery is encouraging all players to check out any Mega Millions tickets they are holding on as quickly as possible,” authorities pleaded.
The player who thinks they have the winning ticket must fill out a complaint form.
They can send it in person or by mail to the headquarters in Sacramento.
All forms submitted must be stamped Saturday.
If the prize is not claimed, it will be allocated to investments in public schools.
The US Sun has reached out to the California Lottery for comment.
The odds of matching five numbers are about one in 12.6 million.
But players must defy odds of one in 302.6 million to claim the jackpot.
A massive $552 million jackpot was won in Illinois following Tuesday night’s drawing.
The prize was finally won after continuing to accumulate for about three months.
It was one of the 10 biggest Mega Millions jackpots in history.
Top US Lottery Winners
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, November 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, October 11, 2023, California.
- Unknown Winner – $1.602 Billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023, Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta of Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016.
- Unknown Winner – $1.537 Billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Winner unknown – he sued his child’s mother to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, January 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 Álvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 Billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Winner unknown – $842.4 million Powerball, January 1, 2024, from Michigan.
But the ticket holder faces a choice – they can claim their fortune all at once or in installments.
If they choose the lump sum, the prize will be reduced to about $264 million.
The money is then taxed at the federal and state level because the ticket was purchased in Illinois.
Earnings above $5,000 are taxed at a 24% rate at the federal level.
In Illinois, the tax rate is 4.95%.
The jackpot has been reset and stands at $20 million ahead of Friday’s drawing.
Meanwhile, the cash option is worth $9.4 million.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annual fee?
Players who win big on lottery tickets often have a choice to make: lump sum or annual fee?
Both payment methods can affect how much money you receive from your prize.
Annuities are paid slowly in increments, usually over 30 years.
Lump sums are paid all at once, but in smaller amounts since taxes are withheld all at once. This means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam immediately. Many states also tax earnings.
Annuities can give winners time to establish the financial infrastructure necessary to receive a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the advantage of being taxed only once.
It’s also worth considering inflation when making a choice, as payments don’t adjust to the value of a dollar. This means you will likely receive less valuable money at the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays 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 differing opinions on the possibility of take the fixed amount or take the annual fee.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
