A lucky Ohio Walmart shopper won a $139 million Powerball jackpot months ago but has yet to come forward. The winning ticket, purchased at a Walmart in Huber Heights near Dayton, matched all five numbers plus the Powerball on July 3.
For over five months, the winner has unknowingly held a life-changing prize. The ticket numbers are 02, 26, 33, 55, 57, with the red Powerball 22.
Officials urge anyone who shops at that Walmart and plays Powerball to check old pockets and purses for the ticket. Time is running out, as Ohio players have only 180 days to claim their winnings. With the draw on July 3, the winner has less than a month left to claim their prize.
The winner faces a choice between two payout options: an annuity totaling $139.3 million paid over 30 years with annual increases of 5%, or a lump sum payment of $66.5 million. Both amounts are before taxes, which will reduce the final payout.
Ohio is not alone in having unclaimed large prizes. In Wisconsin, another Powerball player has yet to claim a $2 million prize from a November 30 drawing. This winner chose the Power Play option, which doubled their $1 million prize to $2 million. They matched five numbers but missed the Powerball, narrowly missing a $212 million jackpot.
Similarly, a Mega Millions player holds a $197.5 million prize that must be claimed soon.
Lottery officials remind winners to check their tickets promptly or risk losing their prizes, which would then return to the lottery fund.
