The winner of a massive $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in California has not yet come forward to claim the prize. The winning ticket was sold on December 27 at a Sunshine Food & Gas station in Cottonwood, a small town about two hours from Sacramento.
Experts say there are several reasons why the winner might still be quiet. Sometimes, winners simply do not realize they have a winning ticket. If they do know, they often take time to consult with financial advisors, tax professionals, and lawyers before claiming the prize.
Akshay Khanna, a lottery expert and CEO of Jackpot.com, told The U.S. Sun that winners usually want a clear plan for handling the money. They may form trusts or legal entities to manage taxes or maintain some privacy. However, California law requires the winner’s identity to be made public. The lottery must disclose the winner’s name, the location where the ticket was bought, the date of the win, and the prize amount.
While the winner can form a trust before claiming, the trust itself cannot claim the prize, according to the California Lottery rules. This makes it crucial for the winner to carefully prepare but act soon.
Winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize. For this jackpot, the deadline is June 25, 2025. If the prize is not claimed by then, the money will be redirected to California public schools.
To claim the prize, the winner must sign the back of the ticket and submit a claim form either in person or by mail. They will also face an interview with law enforcement to confirm their identity, and the ticket will be thoroughly checked for authenticity. This process can take several months.
After verification, the winner can choose between a lump sum payment or annuity payments spread over 30 years. While annuity payments provide steady income over time, the lump sum offers a larger upfront amount with potential investment benefits. Most winners choose the lump sum.
If the winner opts for the lump sum, federal taxes will reduce the payout significantly. The government takes at least 24% of winnings over $5,000. Luckily, California does not charge state taxes on lottery prizes. Even so, because of the large amount, the winner will face a higher tax bracket, which further reduces the final payout.
After taxes, the winner can expect to receive around $572 million.
Other large Mega Millions prizes remain unclaimed in the U.S., including a $1 million win in Minnesota and another $1 million prize in Missouri. Both winners must claim their prizes soon before deadlines expire.
