$1 million Mega Millions prize won in Iowa will expire in two weeks

Comment #45

lottoman626 — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 03:12:39 GMT

look stupid! obviously, he was not clear in his communication

Comment #44

Brock Lee — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 03:02:21 GMT

you did misunderstand his post, and you look like the idiot here.

Comment #43

lottoman626 — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 02:30:10 GMT

what's even stranger, he answers my response to you, as if I responded to him initially

Comment #42

billybucks — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:51:01 GMT

It sounded so incredulous that I didn't bother to verify my claim. Still find it an odd offer by a lottery. You weren't blowing smoke.

Comment #41

lottoman626 — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:31:17 GMT

no buddy. You clearly said Virginia has Just the Jackpot for Mega Millions which they do not! vs. Virginia has a jackpot-only option, as well as the other prizes! Then after you are called out on it, then you go into an accurate description! and try and spin it into a misunderstanding

Comment #40

billybucks — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:37:24 GMT

Yes, they do. It is an odd offer but you can get 2 just the jackpot tickets for 3.00 instead of the usual 4.00 by waiving all rights to any lower tiered prized. I do not even want the jackpot when I play so that wouldn't be for me. So I don't play that for that reason.

Comment #39

winterhug — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:04:29 GMT

No, you misunderstood my post. The Virginia lottery has an option called for Mega Millions called Just the Jackpot where a player can CHOOSE to just to play for the jackpot and NOTHING ELSE, which means THEY don't want any of the lower prizes. On the bottom of the play slip, there is an option that says (NEW) play for the jackpot only! Obviously you don't play Virginia lottery and have never seen their play slip before.

Comment #38

CDanaT — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 17:20:58 GMT

Rcb, it boils down to being lazy or irresponsible(sometimes both). Lack of ticket security on the players part should never require a safety net on the lottery's part. If any person becomes that careless with a ticket, they were never destined to have the financial rewards anyway.

Comment #37

lottoman626 — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:36:11 GMT

Actually, the statement that Virginia has Just the Jackpot for Mega Millions is false. Virginia has 2nd to 8th place fixed prizes. All participating states have 2nd to 8th place prizes but in a couple of states it's not a fixed number it's whatever the winning total is, it's divided among the winners. For example, let's say in California the 2nd place prize is 2 million dollars if 10 people win in that state. they each get 200k

Comment #36

billybucks — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:30:36 GMT

I find that hard to believe. While it is true some diss the lower prizes and do not even bother to cash them they still could if they so desired to.

Comment #35

winterhug — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:03:31 GMT

I do agree with you that playing Just the Jackpot is throwing money down the toilet. Virginia has Just the Jackpot for Mega Millions. Unfortunately it seems enough people only care about the jackpot and not enough about the lower prizes of $1M, 10K, $500, $200, $10, $4, $2 for the lottery to put this option in play.

Comment #34

Bleudog101 — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:59:17 GMT

Eddie Tipton where are you?

Reminds me of a high heeled lady playing scratch tickets here, ATM right next to the lottery machine as I patiently waited my turn. Finally she left, scanned her tickets and there was a $200 winner in the trash!

There are a few high heeled folks in the Saddlebred Capital of the World where I live. One family owns four well known resorts...hint hint first one in Nashville; now one in DC, Colorado and Florida. About 10 years ago she got tired of foolin... [ More ]

Comment #33

hearsetrax — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:45:56 GMT

Comment #32

rcbbuckeye — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:13:49 GMT

Sounds noble. However, it is not the lottery's job to hunt down winners, even million dollar winners. Lotteries do put notices of major wins about to expire. Before people start accusing lotteries of cheating people, remember that if a person walks into a store (or goes online) and spends money on a ticket, it's that person's job/responsibility to check their own ticket. It takes all of 60 seconds to look online.

If a player can't be bothered to do that, tough. Don't buy a ticket.... [ More ]

Comment #31

rearea1930 — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:05:08 GMT

the lottery has a video of the person, why not post it in the store for some one who may reconize the person and let them know, sounds like the lottery is not honest

Comment #30

billybucks — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 13:17:58 GMT

Not enough to stir their interest. They played because it was a billion dollars or more. That is what they wanted. They didn't even know what power play is so that didn't get played. A million is about 1/1000th of a billion. Didn't know about those prizes and didn't care. I want that billion only.

Comment #29

lottoman626 — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 22:25:59 GMT

a lot dont know below the PB jackpot the 2nd to 8th place prizes are fixed amount (except in California), for example 7/19/23 drawing had 36 second-place winners they each got 1 million. btw this was the most recent 1.08 billion jackpot drawing.

Comment #28

Artist77 — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 21:16:18 GMT

Exactly. I have heard this excuse too many times. You mean there are prizes other than the jp? People like that deserve to lose.

Comment #27

TheMeatman2005 — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 20:57:06 GMT

Just imagine if they found the ticket....a day too late.

Comment #26

billybucks — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 14:23:29 GMT

Because they are not aware of the secondary prizes. They buy a ticket or two and hear that it got hit in California and that is the end of it for them. No need to check the ticket if I didn't win is the perception of inexperienced players.

Comment #25

lottoman626 — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 14:06:19 GMT

I don't think a lot of players calculate odds in their number choices. I mostly stick to pick 3,4 and 5 games, which has the best chances to win I don't think playing the lottery regularly is the same as being an everyday smoker and or drinker. The substance vices are detrimental to your health.

Comment #24

GiveFive — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 12:47:33 GMT

What we dont know is if the ticket was lost or misplaced. Either way that's just pathetic in and of itself. It's even stupider if they checked it but it found its way into a trash can for whatever reason.

There are smart phone app's and ticket scanners available everywhere... makes it so easy to check a ticket... NEVER trust your own two eyes. I know someone that scanned (with his smartphone) what he at first thought was a loser scratch off and won $500. G5

Comment #23

winterhug — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 10:48:14 GMT

All to often people, who have never played the lottery buy tickets for the MM and PB. These people don't know the rules of the game. They will check their tickets to see if they are winners. If ALL of their numbers do not match the winning numbers they will throw the tickets away. They do not know that there are smaller prizes to be won by matching less numbers. I find discarded lottery tickets in the parking lot, grocery store, etc. which have been winners of smaller prizes, nothing big yet. A... [ More ]

Comment #22

winterhug — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 10:35:08 GMT

Exactly, I do the same. A few weeks ago I found a crumbled up Mega Millions ticket on the floor of my local grocery store. I picked it up and noticed the red ball number of 12 was part of the winning number from one of the earlier draws. Sure enough, the winning ticket was worth $8. I think what happens is so many new players have no idea what the rules of MM and PB are. They buy tickets and check the numbers and if ALL six numbers do not match they will throw the ticket away. They don't know th... [ More ]

Comment #21

JustMaybe — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 01:22:32 GMT

.......but playing them every drawing rain or shine is equivalent to flushing money down the toilet.

I am tempted to say the same thing for smokers and drinkers - but I will just let them enjoy their preferred pass time

When am playing jackpot games, I have my eyes fixed on the lower tier prizes, like 5K, 10K, 50K etc because the odds of winning are better - but not solely the jackpot.

I think people who play Just the jackpot in states that allow that, perfectly for the flushing mo... [ More ]

Comment #20

JustMaybe — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 01:13:34 GMT

I don't know whether to say am sorry that you've never won a huge prize.

I have equally never won a huge prize, most I have won in a single draw is $25. However I play for the fun and the chance.

I don't leave the house to solely go and buy a ticket, I only buy when am out and about doing other things.

I prefer to believe that winning is all based on luck, very hard luck. Given the millions of tickets that get bought, both QP and self selected. It's extremely hard to dictate where a... [ More ]

Comment #19

Wildbill78 — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 22:56:49 GMT

In Ohio actual spot Columbus Ohio to be exact which is the capital of Ohio but the city Cleveland or northeast Ohio areas when all the major jackpots in ohio on scratch offs and including several huge powerballs or mega millions through the years. We just had that huge powerball here in Ohio won in the suburbs of Cleveland area or region at the get go gas station. Then several years ago it was another one won in northern Ohio. Ironically Cleveland is the headquarters lottery located at where you... [ More ]

Comment #18

db101 — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 21:15:56 GMT

This is why lots of players stick to pick 3. The odds are ok, the payouts are ok. Big jackpot games are fun once in a while but playing them every drawing rain or shine is equivalent to flushing money down the toilet.

Gotta ask, why are you playing every day

Comment #17

Wildbill78 — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 18:28:05 GMT

My time is due. I'll probably put into the lottery since year 2000 playing with several lottery groups and playing on my own from Powerball, Mega million and scratch offs an estimate $30,000. During those 23 years I've only won small prizes of several $50 winners along the way and and only $100 twice. I never won a top prize on any scratch offs off $1 million or $500,000 or $10,000. I have never even won $500 prize on scratch offs or national lottery . It's very hard to win and these folks are v... [ More ]

Comment #16

rcbbuckeye — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 17:58:38 GMT

Me too. My tix go in my wallet or my playslip holder, then into my desk drawer at home.

People that can't be bothered to check their tix, or lose them don't deserve to collect the $$$ if they win.

Comment #15

Think — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 16:44:12 GMT

Good for Iowa! Not only has Michigan lowered their payout percentage from 65% to 60% but Michigan has always pocketed unclaimed prizes for the state. I don't know how many states just pocket them for themselves but at least Iowa doesn't.

Comment #14

CDanaT — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 15:33:59 GMT

Still amazes me that when you purchase the only legal document for a chance at winning $191,000,000.00 that you don't take better care of it place that ticket in a specific location...While I have never found a purchased ticket, for a future drawing, on the ground inside/outside of a store. I do look at the ones dropped, Just in case. Especially in convenience store parking lots or at the gas pumps.

Comment #13

Brock Lee — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 15:09:03 GMT

the year 2049: iowa lottery claim period has been shortened to 30 minutes. iowa lottery reports record profits of $8237423489327893

Comment #12

Wavepack — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 15:04:55 GMT

Notice the super short 90 day claim period on Iowa Lottery's Pick 3, Pick 4, and InstaPlay.

And notice the Iowa lottery shysters recently shortened the claim period for their other lottos from 1 year to 1/2 year. Terrible.

Comment #11

LottoBux — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 14:20:23 GMT

Since it's somewhere in Iowa, someone should be checking the cornfields for any Mega Millions ticket...

Comment #10

LottoBux — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 11:54:10 GMT

Indeed,

Also some other reasons...

1-It could have been carefully hidden in someone's wallet that was stolen with $$$ inside.

The thief took the cash and got rid of the wallet.

2-It could have flown out of the car if it was left on the dashboard with windows down.

3-The person that purchased that ticket could be in jail and the ticket is in a drawer at home somewhere.

4-Early Onset Dementia set in.

5-The person with the ticket was on their way to cash in with t... [ More ]

Comment #9

lottoman626 — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 06:31:43 GMT

he left it in his pocket and washed those pants the next day.

Comment #8

noise-gate — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 01:15:17 GMT

* That's an excellent question TN, l can't think of a logical answer, believe you me, l tried.

Comment #7

Artist77 — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 01:13:11 GMT

Lol. Yes. It is a vegetable and I get paid to cultivate it.

Comment #6

Brock Lee — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 22:49:59 GMT

this is why i stay uneducated. that way i have a good excuse for never doing my due diligence, whatever that is. (is it some kind of vegetable

Comment #5

Artist77 — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:45:36 GMT

I have had coworkers tell me they do not look at their tickets when they hear where the jp was won. These people very rarely play the lottery. I have explained the other prizes but there is no excuse for highly educated people not to exercise basic due diligence here.

Comment #4

Tony Numbers — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:54:47 GMT

The most disturbing thing is that this happens way too frequently

Comment #3

Brock Lee — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:35:02 GMT

it's lost in a corn maze.

Comment #2

JustMaybe — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:29:44 GMT

Just makes me wonder - I scan and save my tickets on the lottery app the moment I buy them. If it's a win I get a notification. Why would I be playing if the intention is not to get my winnings.

Comment #1

Tony Numbers — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:18:20 GMT

Why play the lottery if you're not going to cash the ticket

$1 million Mega Millions prize won in Iowa will expire in two weeks

Lottery Post — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 16:42:21 GMT

Over 70 other prizes valued at $1,000 and above unclaimed

By Kate Northrop

Mega Millions lottery players in Iowa should rifle through their drawers if they think they bought a ticket in Ames last year, as there are just two weeks left on the clock to claim a $1 million Mega Millions prize.

Time is ticking to collect a $1 million Mega Millions prize in Iowa, and it'll soon expire if no one steps forward to claim it.

Last September, someone in Ames bought a Mega Millions ticket at... [ More ]