A Mega Millions ticket worth $40,000 remains unclaimed in Louisiana, and time is quickly running out for the winner to come forward.
The winning ticket was purchased in Lacombe at Singh Brothers Two store for the December 17, 2024 drawing. Thanks to the Megaplier feature, which boosts non-jackpot prizes, the original prize was multiplied to $40,000.
Mega Millions officials confirmed the player used the Megaplier option, which increases prize amounts by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times for an extra $1 per play. The multiplier is randomly selected from a pool of 15 balls before each draw.
Winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prize. For this ticket, the deadline is June 15, 2025. If unclaimed, the money will go uncollected—part of the millions in lottery prizes that expire each year in the U.S.
Anyone who believes they may have purchased a Mega Millions ticket in Lacombe for the December 17 draw is urged to check their numbers and contact the Louisiana Lottery immediately.
In other news, Mega Millions introduced major changes starting April 5. The cost of a ticket increased from $2 to $5—only the second price hike in the game’s history.
The change has sparked mixed reactions from players, with some expressing frustration over the higher cost. One user on Reddit commented, “A $1 or $2 ticket is easy to justify occasionally, but $5 is too much.”
Despite the backlash, lottery officials highlight that the odds of winning have improved. Before April, the chance of winning any prize was one in 24. Now, it is one in 23.
Odds of winning the jackpot have also slightly increased—from one in 302.6 million to one in 290.5 million. Additionally, break-even prizes have been removed, meaning all wins now exceed the cost of a ticket.
Players are encouraged to check old tickets and play responsibly, especially with larger prizes and new odds now in place.
