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Mega Millions winner worth $1.34 billion does not withdraw prize

About a month ago, a ticket to the second biggest Mega Millions jackpot was sold, netting the winner an estimated $1.34 billion.

There’s just one problem: the winner still hasn’t received their gigantic prize.

The ticket was purchased at a Speedway gas station in Des Plaines, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, on July 29, according to the Illinois lottery website. The ticket hit the jackpot in the draw on the same day.

But as of Aug. 30, the jackpot still hasn’t been claimed, Meghan Powers, Illinois Lottery’s director of communications, told CNN .

The Mega Millions jackpot winner is not the only lottery winner who has yet to claim his prize. According to the Illinois Lottery website, a $1 million jackpot bought in February and several six-figure jackpots have also not been withdrawn.

Prizes must be claimed within one year, the Illinois Lottery said.

In an earlier statement about the win, lottery officials said it is quite common for grand prize winners to wait to receive their winnings.

“For a prize of this magnitude, it’s not uncommon for the winner to take a while to claim,” Illinois lottery director Harold Mays said in the statement. “I’m sure they’re going through a lot of emotions.”

The lottery advises winners to sign the back of the ticket and store it securely, consult professional financial and legal advice regarding their winnings, and then call the lottery hotline to arrange a time to claim your prize.

Even if the prize is claimed, the general public may still never know who the lucky winner is. Winners of $250,000 or more can remain anonymous in Illinois, the lottery says.

“We will work closely with the winner to respect any wishes for privacy and support them in any way we can to provide a positive winning experience,” Mays said in the statement.

Source: CNN Brasil

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