Lottery officials confirm $1 million Powerball prize is still unclaimed – mystery ticket was bought at g...

See what numbers you need to look out for Published: 6:50 ET, Jan 11 2025Updated: 6:50 ET, Jan 11 2025A LUCKY lottery player is unknowingly a millionaire after purchasing a winning ticket from a grocery store.The Powerball player from Illinois scooped the $1 million prize last year but has still not come forward, officials have revealed.2A $1 million Powerball prize has been up for grabs since last year as the winner is yet to come forward (stock)Credit: Getty2Powerball players have been urged to check their tickets or risk losing a life-changing sum (stock)Credit: GettyThe winner was the one of three to win the second prize in the lottery game on December 21, 2024. But the two others who also had the same numbers managed to double their prize by choosing to buy the power play.With lottery tickets having a strict deadline, officials are keen to see the winner receive their cash.The player from Illinois purchased their ticket at the Jewel Food Store in Melrose Park.read more on lottery winsAll Powerball players who may have bought their ticket from this store must check their old slips for the winning numbers.They were: 1, 12, 17, 21, and 58 with Powerball 1.The winners of the second prize correctly guessed all of the numbers but not the Powerball. If they had, they would have won the jackpot of $92 million with an estimated cash value of $42.1 million. But, on December 21, no one was lucky enough to scoop the jackpot.The unknown winner in Illinois must take action if they want to claim their win.Under state lottery rules, the Powerball prize must be claimed within one year after the drawing date.Players must sign the back of their tickets and then follow the instructions on how to claim the cash.Those who win $1 million or more are advised to call the Illinois Lottery Player Hotline to speak to an official who will help them with the claim.Surprisingly, this player is not the only one who has forgotten to check their tickets and come forward. Top lottery winners in the USMillions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.Edwin Castro - $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.Theodorus Struyck - $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.Unknown winner - $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida - $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.Unknown winner - $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.Unknown winner - he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden - $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.Unknown winner - $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao - $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.Yanira Alvarez - $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.Wolverine FLL Lottery Club - $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.Unknown winner - $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.The Illinois Lottery has released a list of unclaimed prizes, many of which are sizeable windfalls.A Mega Millions prize of $1 million was won by someone who bought their ticket from a gas station in Coal City.This prize was drawn on December 20 with the numbers 2, 20, 51, 56, 67 and Mega Ball 19.Another Illinois lottery player scooped $1.1 million on the Lucky Day Lotto on September 8 after buying their ticket from a Liquor store in Chicago.Several smaller prizes were also won by Illinoisans and still need to be claimed.Read More on The US SunMeanwhile, a prize worth a whopping $1.27 billion is up for grabs after the winner from California is still to come forward. One unlucky winner has learned their lesson the hard way after losing a life-changing $138 million Powerball jackpot by failing to claim their prize before it expired.