Urgent warning to ‘double-check’ if you bought Powerball ticket at a gas station – unclaimed $200k prize expires in days
LOTTERY officials have warned players to urgently check their tickets as a $200,000 prize is set to expire within days.
This huge Powerball prize in North Carolina could become null if the lucky owner does not come forward in time.
The ticket was sold at a gas station in Gaston County.
Players who bought a slip at Murphy USA off of Lincolnton Highway in Cherryville, around 30 miles northwest of Charlotte.
This ticket was purchased for the November 11, 2023, draw but this prize will expire on Friday, May 10.
Lottery officials shared that the winner must claim their prize before 5pm on that date.
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The player matched numbers on the white balls drawn and the red Powerball.
These lucky numbers were 1, 12, 14, 24, 57, and Powerball number 7.
The state lottery said this player beat the one in 913,129 odds to win the stellar prize.
North Carolina Education Lottery’s executive director, Mark Michalko, advised players on what to do as the expiry date looms.
“Search everywhere you keep your tickets and double-check any you have to see if you have the winning ticket,” Michalko said.
“We hope that whomever purchased this ticket comes forward to claim their prize soon so we can celebrate their big win with them.”
This winner must visit the NC Lottery Headquarters in Raleigh, as their win is over $100,000.
An important note is that players cannot simply turn up to the office as they must follow an important step first.
The process would start online and the claimant must wait for follow-up instructions which could take two to five business days, according to NC Education Lottery.
Therefore, this lucky player must act fast to ensure they do not miss out on their $200,000 prize.
Lottery prizes: Lump sum vs Annuity
Lottery winners need to decide whether to take a big jackpot as a lump sum or as annuity payments.
What is a lump sum?
- Lottery winners can accept a one-time cash payout.
- Although a winner would lose a chunk of their payout to taxes, they would likely lose more over time with annual payments.
What are annual payments?
- Installments are paid out as one immediate payment followed by a series of payments every year.
- This guarantees money to come in for years or even decades, but some winners worry tax rates may increase over time.
This lottery player could face a difficult decision if they step forward to claim their cash.
Large win lottery players can pick between a lump sum of their prize or annuity payments.
The one-time payment however is subject to fees and high taxes, which often cuts the win substantially.
One lottery player walked away with less than half of his win due to this decision.
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Donnie Leviner won $2 million but walked away with $858,006 after fees and taxes were deducted.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to North Carolina Education Lottery for comment.