LOTTERY players should check their tickets now as there is a giant prize that has yet to be claimed.
A Powerball player won $150,000 last weekend — but he may not have realized it yet.
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The lucky numbers for the June 8 drawing were 8-38-52-54-64 with a Powerball of 15.
Anyone who played the lottery in Montana on Saturday should double-check their tickets to make sure they aren’t missing out on the top prize.
The player won third prize by matching four numbers and the Powerball, meaning he initially won $50,000.
However, Power Play is automatically included when you buy a lottery ticket in Montana – which multiplied the winnings by three, bringing the prize to $150,000.
READ MORE UNCLAIMED PRIZES
Lottery officials say the golden ticket was purchased at Vic’s Market in Whitefish, a resort town in the Rocky Mountains.
No player matched enough numbers to win the $2 million prize or the $207 million jackpot.
The lucky winner has until December 11, 2024 to redeem the money or the ticket expires.
Power ball reported that in the June 8 drawing, there was a fourth-place winner and a fifth-place winner who each won $300.
LATEST POWERBALL JACKPOT WIN
Two days later, a player in New Jersey matched all five main numbers and the Powerball and walked away with the jackpot prize worth about $223 million.
Although the jackpot was nearly $223 million on June 10, the winner only took home a cash value of $104.7 million.
The winner has two options after winning a prize: they can take home a lump sum or opt for annual payments over time.
This week’s winner decided to give up some of his money to take it home immediately.
While both payment options are heavily taxed by the federal and state governments, taking home a lump sum means you’ll only receive 40 to 50 percent of your earnings.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annual fee?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically 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.
HOW TO PLAY POWERBALL
Powerball drawings take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays every week.
With a $2 ticket, players can select five numbers between 1 and 69, as well as one Powerball number between 1 and 29.
The Powerball jackpot increases with each drawing until someone takes home the grand prize.
Powerball players can also opt for a Power Play for an extra $1, which multiplies any prize won by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times.
In some states, including Montana, Power Plays are automatically included with admission.
O chances of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338.
Meanwhile, another Powerball winner in Arizona has yet to claim his $50,000 ticket.
Another winner has less than a month to claim a $100,000 prize before it expires.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible player is someone who:
- Set time and monetary limits before playing
- Only games with money they can lose
- Never chase your losses
- Don’t play if you are upset, irritated or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
