TRENTON, N.J. — Picture this: You've been holding a winning lottery ticket worth $200,000 or $250,000 for nearly one year without claiming the prize.
That is the head-scratching reality that has befallen three winning lottery tickets set to expire this month, including one that was sold in Eatontown, said Judith Drucker, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Lottery.
A lottery winner has one year from the drawing to claim the prize.
If a winner fails to do so, the money goes back into the lottery and may be used for future prizes or state contributions, Drucker said.
The two $250,000 Mega Millions tickets were bought Dec. 23, 2011, and Dec. 27, 2011.
The first was purchased at Orange Liquors on Scotland Road in Orange with winning numbers 3, 5, 8, 18 and 29; Mega Ball 14; and Megaplier 4.
The other was purchased at Street Corner News at Monmouth Mall in Eatontown with winning numbers 23, 32, 33, 39 and 43; Mega Ball 8; and Megaplier 3, Drucker said.
The $200,000 Powerball ticket was bought Dec. 24, 2011, at Milleries Food Market on Rancocas Road in Mount Holly.
Its numbers were 14, 16, 30, 51 and 52; Red Ball 19; and Powerplay Multiplier 2, Drucker said.
Those holding these tickets should immediately call lottery headquarters at 609-599-5800 or visit a local lottery retailer to file their claims before expiration, Drucker said.
These people are obviously afraid of having their identities revealed.
As demonstrated in recent threads, there are folks who value their anonymity far more than any jackpot amount.
Here's hoping that they are safe and secure from ever being known, and that they may continue to never be known for anything.
Isn't that something?
I can't believe how many unclaimed prizes are out there!
Must be new players or players who played so long they don't expect
a win to the point of not even check their numbers anymore.
OK New Jersy start checking your sock drawers, cookie jar, between cushions.
FIND THAT TICKET!!!
Seriously? Oh my, I might be insaned for the rest of my life, if I will find out that my winning ticket has expired. I know that as lottery players, we should take care of our tickets and double-checked it first at least weekly.
Hope the winners find their tickets, would be a shame to miss out.
$200000 would be so cool to have as we're approaching christmas.
Makes me sick reading about these. Theres a big one in Europe that expires soon.
People who do not want to lose their anonymity? Better confirm that decision with the spouse.
Wealthy person who feels guilty? Donate the ticket to a worthy cause.
Newbies/Disillusioned players who lost it?
I live in Eatontown, NJ and unfortunately it's not me holding onto any winning ticket. Too bad. I'll bet the persons have lost the tickets and will not claim them in time.
It already expired.
you're the first one I thought of when I read the article.
I hope they claim these winnings.
Being these three dates are all around Christmas day, I'm thinking that these tickets may have been purchased as Christmas gifts for someone. They may have not bothered checking the tickets. Or, they may have thought they would never win anything. Or, they may not have even liked the present. Just my thoughts. But regardless, it's too bad how many people have missed out on a financial blessing.
If they were purchased as Christmas presents maybe they got thrown out with all the wrapping paper. Of course it's not all from accidental losses while cleaning up Christmas wrapping paper, but the average annual value of unredeemed gift cards in the US is in the vicinity of $6 billlion. Of course nobody ever failed to redeem a gift card that was worth $200 to $250k, but unclaimed lottery prizes are fairly small compared to gift cards.