Virginia Lottery Officials Urge Winner to Claim $1 Million Mega Millions Prize Before Deadline

Time is running out for a lucky lottery player in Virginia who holds a Mega Millions ticket worth a staggering $1 million. Virginia Lottery officials are urgently appealing to the winner to come forward and claim their prize before it expires, rendering the ticket worthless. The clock is ticking, with less than two weeks remaining to redeem the winning ticket.

The winning ticket was purchased at a 7-Eleven convenience store located in Deltaville, Virginia, for the Mega Millions drawing held on November 22, 2024. While the ticket matched the first five numbers drawn, it unfortunately missed the Mega Ball number, preventing the holder from claiming the massive jackpot, which exceeded $453 million. Nevertheless, matching the first five numbers still entitles the ticket holder to a substantial $1 million prize.

According to Virginia law, winning lottery tickets are only valid for a limited period of time. In this case, the Mega Millions ticket will expire precisely 180 days following the drawing date. Lottery officials have set a firm deadline of 5:00 p.m. on May 21 for the winner to claim their prize. After this deadline, the ticket will become null and void, and the $1 million prize will be forfeited.

The winning numbers for the November 22, 2024, Mega Millions drawing were 13-20-26-32-65, with the Mega Ball number being 2. Lottery officials are encouraging anyone who purchased a Mega Millions ticket at the Deltaville 7-Eleven around that time to carefully check their numbers against the winning combination. It is possible that the ticket may have been misplaced, forgotten, or simply overlooked.

Should the winner fail to come forward and claim their prize before the deadline, the $1 million will not be returned to the Mega Millions pool. Instead, in accordance with Virginia law, the unclaimed winnings will be allocated to the state’s Literary Fund. This fund plays a vital role in supporting public education by providing low-interest loans to localities for crucial school construction projects, renovations, and technology upgrades.

The Virginia Lottery operates eight customer service centers strategically located across the state. The winner can visit any of these centers to redeem their winning ticket and claim their $1 million prize. Lottery officials are ready and eager to assist the winner throughout the redemption process, ensuring a smooth and efficient transaction.

In recent news, Mega Millions announced significant changes to the game, including more than doubling the cost of a ticket. The price increased from $2 to $5 in early April. This decision was driven by player feedback, with many expressing a desire for larger non-jackpot prizes.

Joshua Johnston, the lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, explained that the new game design is intended to deliver on this demand. While tickets have become pricier, the potential winnings have also increased due to a newly implemented multiplier feature. This multiplier can boost non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or even ten times, offering players the opportunity to win substantially larger amounts.

The game’s odds have also been adjusted, with the overall odds of winning any prize improving from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23. This means that players have a slightly better chance of winning something, even if it’s not the jackpot.

Mega Millions tickets are readily available for purchase at various locations, including gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also offer lottery ticket sales.

For those who prefer the convenience of online purchasing, tickets can be ordered through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Jackpocket operates in a growing number of states and territories, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

The Jackpocket app allows users to select their lottery game and numbers, place their order, view their ticket, and collect their winnings, all from the comfort of their phone or home computer.

Lottery officials emphasize the importance of responsible gambling. They encourage players to set a budget and stick to it, and to never gamble more than they can afford to lose. Resources are available for individuals who may be struggling with gambling problems. The national problem gambling hotline can be reached at 1-800-GAMBLER. New York residents can call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).

With the deadline fast approaching, Virginia Lottery officials are urging the holder of the $1 million Mega Millions ticket to act swiftly. The potential windfall could significantly improve their financial situation, and the Lottery is committed to facilitating a seamless and secure prize redemption process.