Anonymous player still holds $1 million unclaimed Powerball ticket — and it was bought at popular gas station

On By Littum

A LUCKY lottery player is heading into Christmas after winning a top prize in the Powerball game – but may not know it yet.

The anonymous winner is $1 million richer after buying their ticket at a gas station in Michigan in September.

A $1 million Powerball prize remains unclaimed in Michigan

1

A $1 million Powerball prize remains unclaimed in MichiganCredit: Getty

He or she missed the jackpot but matched all five numbers on the white balls in the September 4 drawing to score their big prize.

The winning numbers in that game were 7, 10, 21, 33, 59 and Powerball 20.

Although no one picked the winning numbers for the two top prizes, the unknown player has nevertheless won a life-changing sum.

The ticket was purchased at MD Westland LLC, a popular gas station in Westland, Wayne County, about 18 miles from Detroit.

The anonymous winner has until 4:45 p.m. on September 4, 2025 to claim their prize in accordance with Michigan State lottery rules.

If the player still hasn’t turned up before the deadline, they lose the right to the prize money.

In Powerball, if prizes remain unclaimed, a portion of the money goes to each state where the game is played.

From there, the money could end up back in the lottery or used to fund government works and programs.

CLAIMS ON THE CASH

In Michigan, winnings over $100,000 must be claimed at lottery headquarters in Lansing after scheduling an appointment with the office.

In this case, the anonymous $1 million winner should sign the back of the winning ticket before going to the lottery headquarters.

My husband and I won $500,000 from the $5 lottery scratch the same day we got an eviction notice – but we still lost it all

The winner must also have a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or social security card.

The prize must be claimed in Michigan as that is where the ticket was purchased, which may mean a long trip if the winner lives out of state, but it would be worth the trip.

POWERBALL LIGHTS

Powerball is hugely popular across the country and is played in 48 US lottery jurisdictions.

The amount of time players have to claim prizes varies from state to state, from 90 days up to a full year – as is the case in Michigan.

Tickets are $2 and can be entered into drawings every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?

Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?

The two payout methods can affect how much money you get from your prize.

Annuities are paid slowly in stages, often over 30 years.

Lump sum is paid at once, but in a smaller amount, as tax is withheld at once. This means that 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam immediately. Many states also tax gains.

Annuities can give winners time to establish the financial infrastructure required to receive a life-changing sum, but lump sums have the advantage of being taxed only once.

Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts are not adjusted by the value of a dollar. This means that you will likely get less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.

Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payout policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Experts have different opinions on whether it should take the lump sum or take the annuity.

Players pick five numbers on the white balls between 1 and 69, then one number for the red Powerball, between 1 and 26.

In Powerball, the jackpot grows until it is won, so some winners win more money than others, depending on how long the prize pool has been growing.

The largest jackpot to date is $2.04 billion won in California in 2022, according to Powerball’s website.

Top prize winners can choose to receive their money as a lump sum or as an annuity over 29 years.

This latest Michigan lottery winner isn’t alone in not claiming their prize.

Another $1 million is currently unclaimed in Missouri from a November Mega Millions drawing.

While in Florida, a Mega Millions winner is set to be $5 million richer when they claim their prize from the December 10 drawing.

Responsible gaming

Remember to play responsibly
A responsible gambler is a person who:

  • Establish time and money limits before you play
  • Only play with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chase their loss
  • Don’t play if they are sad, angry or depressed
  • The National Council for Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
  • Gamble deliberately – www.begambleaware.org

To get help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat