The Lotto Matrix: Lottery Winners Could Miss Claims, Massachusetts iLottery Delay And More

Welcome to this week’s “Lotto Matrix,” a weekly Friday compilation of the lottery industry’s most significant, interesting, or absurd happenings.

$197M California Mega Millions ticket set to expire

In December 2023, fortune smiled on two Mega Millions tickets purchased at the same Chevron gas station in Encino, California. These tickets held the keys to a $197.5 million prize, but as the deadline for laying claim to the winnings looms, one ticket remains unclaimed, potentially leaving millions on the table.

Time is of the essence if the winner wants to cash in. December 7 is the last day to step forward, and the clock is ticking.

Lottery wins of this magnitude are rare, and having both winning tickets from a multistate game sold at the same California retailer is almost unheard of. Carolyn Becker, spokesperson for the California Lottery, highlighted the sheer odds, noting there are over 23,000 lottery retailers across the state alone.

If the ticket remains unclaimed, the money won’t simply vanish, though. Around $80.5 million will be returned to the states that contributed to the Mega Millions jackpot. In addition, approximately $13.8 million of the unclaimed winnings will go to California schools.

This isn’t an isolated case, either. Since its inception, Becker points out that the California Lottery has funneled over $1 billion in unclaimed winnings into state coffers, primarily supporting public schools.

Search is on for Ohio Powerball winner

While California waits to see if its Mega Millions winner will appear, a similar situation is unfolding in Ohio. A single Powerball ticket sold in the state earlier this year matched all the winning numbers, securing a $139.3 million jackpot—but no one has stepped forward to claim it.

The deadline to do so is December 30.

If the winner comes forward in time, they face a difficult decision, but a good problem to have: take the full jackpot amount in 30 annuity payments over 29 years or opt for a $66.5 million cash payout. After federal and state taxes, the annuity option would leave them with $84.1 million spread out over decades, while the cash option offers $39.6 million upfront.

If the Powerball ticket remains unclaimed past the deadline, the massive jackpot will revert to the Ohio Lottery, and its life-changing potential will be lost forever.

Tick tock!

Massachusetts iLottery launch faces new delays

The much-anticipated venture into online lottery sales in Massachusetts has hit yet another delay. Originally set to launch in late 2025, the state’s iLottery platform is now expected to debut a year later.

The timeline has shifted multiple times since the program’s initial announcement. While the timeline adjustments may disappoint eager players, the state remains optimistic about the platform’s long-term potential.

The move to an online lottery is part of Massachusetts’ broader strategy to stay competitive with the booming industries of casinos and sports betting. Officials project the iLottery could generate up to $360 million in annual profits within a decade, offering a significant boost to state revenues.

In preparation for this initiative, lawmakers approved $2.5 million in start-up funding, signaling a strong commitment to modernizing the state’s lottery operations.

Despite the promise of big profits, the rollout has faced repeated delays. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg delivered the latest update during a December 2, meeting, explaining that the launch date would now need to be pushed back from April to the summer of 2026.

19 million reasons to be thankful

For one Ohio woman, Thanksgiving came with a life-changing surprise. Faith M., a 57-year-old resident of Wilmington, Ohio, won $19.4 million in the Classic Lotto game for the November 27 drawing using the online lottery courier service Jackpocket.

USA Today, citing Jackpocket, reported that Faith explained that she typically buys tickets only occasionally, using numbers tied to her children or opting for system-generated combinations. In this case, it was a randomly generated ticket that made her a multi-millionaire.

Her journey to the big win began in October, spurred by a Jackpocket advertisement that piqued her curiosity. While relaxing at home, she decided to test her luck and purchased a ticket through the platform.

Little did she know, her decision would lead to a life-altering moment. On Thanksgiving Day, Faith received an email from Jackpocket with the exciting news: she had “won big.”

Curious about the exact prize, she called the lottery and was stunned to learn she was the sole winner of the $19.4 million jackpot.

A gift from beyond

An Illinois man found incredible luck and a deep connection to his late wife when he won a $650,000 Lucky Day Lotto jackpot. Choosing numbers inspired by his late wife, the winner, who identified himself as “Big Money D,” took a chance on a game he rarely played—and it paid off beyond his wildest dreams.

The life-changing ticket was purchased at a grocery store in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. On November 16, “Big Money D” matched all five numbers, securing the entire jackpot. Reflecting on the win, he shared that it took an entire day for the reality to sink in.

More than just a windfall, this jackpot represents a new chapter for him and his children. Before even claiming his prize, he began planning for the future, exploring real estate opportunities. “I’m already looking at houses and can’t wait to purchase my dream home for myself and my kids — it truly is a dream come true,” he told the Illinois Lottery.

Lucky Day Lotto, a local Illinois game, gives players the chance to pick five numbers between 1 and 45 for a shot at its growing jackpot. With every unclaimed draw, the jackpot increases by $50,000, making it an exciting option for hopeful players across the state.

Best Of The Rest

Scientific Games stays in North Dakota: Scientific Games’ Newest Systems Technology to Power Retail and Digital Sales for North Dakota Lottery

Aristocrat adds Kentucky Lottery to its portfolio: Aristocrat Interactive iLottery Expands Footprint with the Kentucky Lottery Corporation

Singing a winning tune: Zach Bryan fan strikes lottery gold during marathon concert road trip

Persistence pays in a big way: Persistent man wins lottery with same numbers he’s played for nearly 10 years

Check the prize box and see you next week!