No one has claimed the $1.34B Mega Millions prize a month after winning ticket was bought in Illinois
It’s been a month since someone in Illinois won the $1.34 billion Mega Millions lottery. Though, this someone hasn’t claimed the prize just yet.
Whomever the player is, they bought the winning ticket in Des Plaines, a suburb of Chicago. Hence, the player matched all six correct numbers: 13, 36, 45, 57, 67, and the gold Mega Ball 14.
Meghan Powers, the director of communications for the Illinois Lottery, told NBC News they still do not know who won the lottery.
The winner of a $1.3B Mega Millions lottery ticket still hasn’t come forward to claim their prize. pic.twitter.com/a6QKmtQeFR
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 26, 2022
“For a prize of this magnitude, it’s not unusual for a winner to take a little bit longer to claim the prize as they may want to seek professional, legal and financial advice prior to claiming,” she told NBC News.
The lottery was the third largest ever in U.S. history while being the biggest ever in Illinois.
“We don’t know whether or not they’re aware they’ve won this incredible prize,” Harold Mays, Illinois Lottery Director said after the winning numbers were announced. “So we’re telling all of our players — check your tickets.”
“I’m sure they’re going through a range of emotions,” Mays later added.
Winners in Illinois have a year to claim their prize, and for winners gaining $250,000 or more, they can remain anonymous.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.