As opposed to turning into a pumpkin, an unclaimed Georgia Lottery prize of $77.1 million turned back into a scrap of paper at midnight in December of 2011.
At that time, it was an expired and worthless Powerball ticket.
That remains the largest unclaimed jackpot in the United States and second in the world to the UK’s £638.1 million pounder. That would have been worth nearly $833 million in the United States.
So, it seems unclaimed lottery prizes happen in the Peach State, and they happen worldwide – at least wherever lotteries are held.
Still, the United States holds the record internationally for the largest yearly total amount of unclaimed lottery prizes.
An estimated total amount of nearly $3 billion in lottery wins goes uncollected here.
Big champions both found and unaccounted for
Throughout 2016, several American couples each received a gift of $1.586 billion, the largest jackpot in history. The biggest (and, we assume, happiest) single winner came from South Carolina and went home with $1.537 billion from a Mega Millions ticket in 2018.
They all consider themselves lucky twice because they actually remembered to claim the prizes.
However, according to a study by the Chattanooga Times in 2007, Georgia lottery winnings worth billions went unclaimed in Georgia and neighboring Tennessee.
It’s a nationwide phenomenon. According to lottery.net, billions of prize dollars go uncollected every year.
Some of America’s largest lottery winners have included:
Some of America’ s Largest Lottery Guys have provided:
- An individual in Arizona who missed out on a $14.6 million prize in December 2019
- The lucky-but-then unlucky person who let their $12 million Maryland Lottery jackpot go unclaimed
- The Missouri Lottery ticket holder who could have added a $1,000,000 Powerball prize to their bank account this past summer.
Best-case scenario: An individual win!
This year’s Georgia legislative session ended without any progress regarding other forms of gambling. That means the Georgia Lottery remains one of the only gaming outlets for Georgians for at least another year.
And if you purchase a ticket or play and win a jackpot, the New York Lottery recommends following these 20 steps:
- Stay anonymous if your state permits it.
- Consult a tax professional before redeeming the ticket.
- Avoid sudden lifestyle changes.
- Pay off your debts.
- Assemble a team of financial and legal experts.
- Invest wisely.
- Live within a budget.
- Take steps to protect your assets.
- Consider making charitable donations.
- Review your estate plans.
However, to avoid finding yourself in an unclaimed Georgia lottery prize situation, take proactive action advised by some state lotteries: Sign your ticket upon purchase.
In Georgia, where you have 180 days to claim the prize, you must be at least 18 to play the state Lottery.
That’s no joke: In 2017, a Californian missed out on a $5 million jackpot because his underage 16-year-old son purchased the winning ticket there.
Optimism the future: Just where Georgia Lotto money runs
Maximizing gross income for educational programs has remained the Georgia Lottery’s mission.
In Fiscal Year 2021 alone, the Georgia Lottery contributed over $1 billion from revenues to the Lottery for Education Account; the funds then went into pre-K and HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally), a scholarship and grants program, according to the Lottery.
The funds from unclaimed Georgia lottery winnings add to the prize pool for future jackpots and special promotions.
