A missed deadline last weekend means someone in Florida lost out on $36 million.
No one stepped up to claim the prize from the August drawing before the deadline, rendering the Mega Millions lottery ticket void.
As a result, the winner has forfeited the winnings – the ticket is now only worth the paper it was printed on, Michelle Griner, a spokesperson with the Florida Lottery, told CNN.
The deadline to claim the prize was Sunday, marking the end of the 180-day claim period. The winning ticket was purchased at a Publix in Jacksonville with the winning numbers: 18-39-42-57-63. The Mega Ball number was 7 with a multiplier of 3x.
What happens to the money? Does it get dumped back in to the pool?
Same thing that happens if no one bought the right numbers. Most lotteries, that woulf mean yes, it stays in the pool.
The only good news from it is that some of it goes to bright futures scholarships in the state of Florida so that means some kids will get their education supported by this person’s mistake.
Edit: mega millions spans multiple states I believe, so I should say this will help fund education in multiple states
Edit 2. Fun fact. There are 20 states in the U.S. with plans set up to allow free community college
Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Louisiana are on that list… (If you are from outside the U.S. those are often considered states that are slower moving when it comes to “liberal” ideas)
Honestly it’s a pretty good thing to come of it. Lotteries are just openly-hidden taxes. I wish there was more related to the “play responsibly” thing they pretend to be about, but I think they’re easily a net positive, even with all the irresponsible playing and consequences of that.