Massive Lottery Winnings Remain Unclaimed in Iowa
If you were lucky enough to win tens of thousands of dollars or more playing the lottery, you would think that you would be hightailing it to pick up your check as soon as possible.
But that's not always the case.
In some instances, big winners take some time to get their ducks in a row legally and financially before getting paid. That's probably a smart way to do it.
But there are times when players either don't know they've won or they're not aware they only have a certain amount of time to claim their jackpot.
Recently, we told you about five huge unclaimed prizes in Minnesota, each worth $50,000.
Well, the North Star State isn't the only one with some big money still waiting to be picked up.
Iowa Lottery officials have six unclaimed prizes of $20,000 or more, including two massive payouts.
Unlike Minnesota, where winners have one year to claim their money, Iowa players must submit their tickets within 180 days to get paid.
That shouldn't be a problem for the biggest jackpot on the list, a $1 million Powerball winner with a ticket purchased at Fareway in Webster City on August 5. They have until February 3 of next year to come forward.
But time is not on the side of a $500,000 winner in Iowa.
Someone at Kwik Star in Mason City snagged a ticket that matched four numbers and the Powerball on the March 16 drawing. That ticket expires this month (September 12).
Another jackpot that is less than a month away from going bye-bye is a $20,000 winning Mega Millions ticket sold at Kum & Go in Ankeny for the March 26 drawing. That payout will be null and void September 23.
Next month (October 7) a $50,000 Powerball winning ticket is set to expire. It was sold at Hy-Vee in Des Moines for the April 10 drawing.
The other two big unclaimed jackpot winners in the Hawkeye State don't have to come forward until 2025.
A $50,000 Powerball ticket from the July 29 drawing was sold at Kwik Star in Bettendorf. That winner has until January 27 to claim their prize.
February 2, a $20,000 Mega Millions winning ticket from the August 27 drawing expires. It was sold at Hy-Vee in Mason City.