What would happen if the Mega Millions prize went unclaimed?
According to the Mega Millions website, there are different procedures and deadlines for each state's prizes.
According to the Illinois Lottery, winners may have up to a year to claim their prize. However, recipients of prizes worth more than $250,000 may decide to stay anonymous.
The winner still has 60 days from the draw date to choose between receiving the reward in cash or an annuity, but they must act quickly.
Each participating state in the Mega Millions lottery receives its full investment returned if a jackpot award is not claimed.
What would happen if the Mega Millions prize went unclaimed?
Although the states have diverse uses for their unclaimed lottery winnings, unclaimed money usually stays in the state's lottery budget.
According to the state lottery, about one-fourth of every lottery dollar wagered in Illinois goes toward funding public education.
There are currently only three jackpot prizes that have not been claimedAug. 1, 2006: A $31 million in Queens, New York.April 25, 2003: A $46 million in Brooklyn, New York.Dec. 24, 2002: A $68 million in New York.
$1.34 billion Mega Millions lottery winner has not claimed their winnings.