With each Powerball drawing many Oregonians win prizes that aren’t the large jackpot prize. Last November, two lucky Powerball players in Portland, were amongst these Oregonians, with each winning significant non-jackpot prizes. However, more often than people would expect, the non-jackpot Powerball prizes go unclaimed.
Lottery prizes are good one year from the date of the draw, meaning that in the next month, more than $1 million in prizes will be transferred to the state.
The largest of the unclaimed prizes is a $1 million Powerball prize from last November 25. The ticket was sold in Portland and the winning numbers are 08-13-27-53-54 with a Powerball of 04. The player matched five numbers but missed the Powerball number.
There is also a $50,000 Powerball prize from the November 15 drawing that remains unclaimed. The player purchased the ticket in Portland and matched four numbers and the Powerball. The winning numbers for that draw are 23-32-44-48-50 with a Powerball of 25.
All unclaimed prizes go into the state’s Economic Development Fund. Each year approximately $5 million in unclaimed prizes goes into the fund. In fiscal year 2016, more than $5.3 million in unclaimed prizes were transferred to the fund. In fiscal year 2017, more than $5.4 million was transferred.
“Every time I see the numbers of how many unclaimed prizes go into the Economic Development Fund, I am shocked,” said Patrick Johnson, public information specialist with the Oregon Lottery. “If you are going to play the games, please check you tickets. These two unclaimed prizes are a significant amount of money, enough to really make a difference in someone’s life. Please check those tickets.”
The Oregon Lottery also recently released new mobile phone applications on the Apple App Store and coming soon to the Google Play Store. The new app will scan ticket and check them, without players using the Oregon Lottery check-a-ticket machines.
Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 should contact the Lottery office to schedule an appointment to claim their prize.
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $11 billion for economic development, public education, state parks and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org
Source: Oregon Lottery