Time is running out for lottery winners in several U.S. states to claim their cash prizes, with more than $1 million in total winnings still unclaimed. Some of these tickets were purchased months ago, and officials are urging players to check their old lottery slips before it’s too late.
If you’ve bought a lottery ticket in Missouri, Louisiana, Arizona, or Colorado in late 2023, now is the time to double-check—it could mean life-changing money.
$1 Million Ticket in Missouri to Expire Soon
The largest unclaimed prize currently belongs to a ticket bought in Missouri during a draw held in November 2023. The ticket is worth $1,000,000, but if not claimed by May 14, it will expire. That leaves just three days for the winner to come forward.
More Unclaimed Tickets in Other States
It’s not just Missouri. Lottery officials say there are other significant unclaimed prizes, all set to expire in the coming weeks:
Louisiana: A $40,000 winning ticket from a December 2023 draw remains unclaimed. The deadline to claim is June 15.
Arizona: A $10,000 ticket from December 2023 is still unclaimed. It must also be claimed by June 15.
Colorado: Two tickets from December draws are also waiting for their winners.
One ticket is worth $10,000 (expires June 22)
Another is worth $30,000 (expires June 25)
If these prizes are not claimed in time, the money will be returned to the state lottery programs, which often use it to fund education or future prizes—but the individual winners will miss out.
Mega Millions Changes in 2025
While unclaimed prizes make headlines, there have also been major changes to the Mega Millions lottery game that players should know about.
Ticket Price Increase:
The cost of a single Mega Millions ticket has increased from $2 to $5, making each play more expensive.
Better Odds of Winning:
The odds of winning the jackpot have slightly improved—from 1 in 302.6 million to 1 in 290.4 million.
Improved Odds for Any Prize:
Players now have a 1 in 23 chance of winning any prize, compared to 1 in 24 previously.
Higher Non-Jackpot Prizes:
Non-jackpot winnings now range from $10 up to $10 million, giving more reasons for casual players to try their luck.
These changes aim to make the game more appealing and increase the prize pool while offering slightly better chances of winning something, if not the jackpot itself.
With multiple lottery tickets worth anywhere from $10,000 to $1 million still unclaimed, officials are urging players to check their wallets, drawers, or even coat pockets for forgotten tickets. If you bought a ticket in Missouri, Louisiana, Arizona, or Colorado last year, this might be your lucky break—but the window to claim your prize is closing fast.
At the same time, changes to the Mega Millions game bring a new structure and slightly better odds, though at a higher cost. As always, play responsibly and don’t forget to double-check those numbers.