Lottery warning to check numbers for unclaimed $44 million ticket bought at convenience store
TIME has been counting down on one record-breaking winning lottery ticket as it has not yet been claimed.
The Hoosier, Indiana Lottery is telling people to check their tickets as a local speedway has sold a $44 million winning ticket.
Drawn on December 6, the winning lottery numbers were 9-16-22-26-30-37.
“A town known for excitement every May is now experiencing excitement in December as a ticket for the second-largest Hoosier Lotto jackpot in game history was sold in Speedway for Wednesday’s drawing,” a press release read.
Lottery officials are asking anyone who bought a ticket to re-check their numbers to see if they have become the town's newest millionaire.
“Congratulations to our newest Hoosier Lotto jackpot millionaire,” said Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah M. Taylor.
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“Since its first drawing in 1990, Hoosier Lotto has remained a popular game among our players. It is great to see it was won in the same town known for producing exciting racing wins for the last century.”
This $44 million prize is the second largest one in the lottery's history, only being beaten by a 2007 drawing that produced a $54.5 million winner.
The last time a jackpot was pulled happened in 2022 and only totaled $19.5 million.
The Lucky Mart that sold the ticket will receive $100,000 from the sale.
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As of this article, the ticket still has not been claimed, but ticket holders can check their numbers on the free Hoosier Lottery Mobile App by downloading it here.
Since the winnings are well over $50,000, the winner will have to call 1-800-955-6886 and set up an appointment with Hoosier Lotto.
Taxes will also be taken out of the total winning, meaning if the lump sum is taken, then the winner will go home with $33.4 million.
The Hoosier Lottery also warns that, "any debt owed to the State of Indiana will be taken out of your prize winnings in accordance with IC 4-30-11-11 and your check will reflect the balance."
Once an appointment is made, the winner will need to bring the ticket and a valid form of photo identification to the lottery office.
Many experts advise winners to find an accounting professional to help manage money, and the lottery has provided resources to aid in that.
"The Indiana CPA Society is a statewide professional association
representing nearly 7,000 CPAs and accounting professionals
to serve the public interest as well as its members by offering
programs and services to educate and raise awareness of the
accounting field," reads their winner's advice fact sheet.
Information from the CPA society can be found by calling 317-726-5000 or through their website.