Unclaimed $30 Million Lottery Ticket: A Three-Step Warning Issued by Officials

Lottery officials have issued a three-step warning to the lucky holder of an unclaimed $30 million ticket. The winning numbers were sold at My Goods Market on Gravenstein Highway in Cotati, California, during Wednesday’s SuperLotto Plus drawing. While the ticket holder has yet to come forward, the California State Lottery has provided clear guidance on how to claim the prize. For those who believe they might be the lucky winner, here is a breakdown of the process and the importance of acting quickly.

Step 1: Verify Your Ticket

The first and most crucial step is to check your lottery ticket. The winning numbers for the $30 million jackpot are 3, 13, 17, 23, 35, and 24. If all six numbers match, congratulations—you’ve won the whopping $30 million! If you have five matching numbers, you could still take home $11,609. Other winning tickets with five matching numbers were sold in Rohnert Park, Sacramento, and El Centro. However, only the ticket purchased in Cotati has all six numbers, making it the jackpot winner.

Step 2: Choose Your Payout Option

For the lucky winner of the $30 million prize, there are two options to receive the money. The first option is to take the entire sum immediately, providing a life-changing amount of cash upfront. The second option is to receive the money over multiple decades, allowing the winner to enjoy a steady income stream. Both options are viable, and the choice ultimately depends on the winner’s financial goals and preferences.

Step 3: Claim Your Prize at a Lottery District Office

The California State Lottery has emphasized the importance of claiming the prize as soon as possible. For prizes over $600, the fastest way to claim is by visiting a Lottery District Office. These offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no appointments are needed. The current processing time for error-free claims is 4 to 6 weeks. For smaller prizes under $1,000, winners can receive their cash on the same day.

California Lottery: A Tax-Free Haven for Winners

California is one of the eight states that does not tax lottery winnings. This makes it an attractive place for lottery players, as they can take home the entire prize amount without losing a portion to state taxes. The other states with no lottery taxes are Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. For residents of these states, hitting the jackpot is even sweeter, as they get to keep every dollar of their winnings.

This tax-free status is a significant incentive for people to play the lottery in California. It also highlights the importance of checking tickets, as unclaimed prizes like the $30 million left on the table could be life-changing for the winner.

Recent Lottery News: Powerball and Mega Millions Updates

Lottery fever is running high across the country, with massive jackpots in both Powerball and Mega Millions. The Illinois Lottery recently issued a warning for a player who won $150,000 in Powerball. The winning ticket, sold at a Casey’s General Store in Clinton, matched four out of five numbers and the Powerball in Wednesday’s drawing. The store will receive a 1% bonus of the prize amount, which totals $1,500. The winner is urged to come forward as soon as possible to claim their prize.

Meanwhile, Mega Millions has been making headlines with its soaring jackpots. Yesterday’s Mega Millions jackpot stood at $233 million, and tonight’s Powerball drawing offers a staggering $320 million. So far in 2025, there has been only one Mega Millions jackpot winner, who took home $112 million in Arizona. For those hoping to strike it rich, now is the time to play.

Lottery Claim Deadlines: Don’t Miss Out on Your Prize

Lottery players must be aware of the deadlines for claiming their prizes, as these vary by state. Most states allow a 180-day or one-year window before tickets expire and the money is forfeited. California is among the states with a 180-day claim window, along with Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, and others. If you’ve won a prize, it’s essential to act quickly to ensure you don’t miss out on your winnings.

For smaller prizes, many states offer same-day processing at lottery offices. However, for larger prizes like the $30 million jackpot in California, the claiming process takes longer due to verification and paperwork. It’s always a good idea to double-check your ticket and follow the proper procedures to claim your prize.

Mega Millions Changes: The Rise in Ticket Prices

In the coming weeks, Mega Millions will undergo a significant change that has sparked controversy among players. The cost of a Mega Millions ticket will increase from $2 to $5. This price hike has left many players shocked, with some vowing to stop playing the game altogether. While the change is intended to potentially increase jackpots and create more winners, it remains to be seen how it will affect player participation.

Despite the backlash, the allure of massive jackpots like the current $233 million and $320 million in Powerball continues to draw players in. For now, hopefuls are encouraged to play responsibly and keep their tickets handy—after all, you never know when you might strike it big.

The Importance of Checking Your Tickets

The unclaimed $30 million ticket in California serves as a stark reminder of the importance of checking lottery tickets. Every week, millions of people play the lottery, but far too many winners never come forward to claim their prizes. Whether it’s due to losing the ticket or simply forgetting to check the numbers, unclaimed prizes represent missed opportunities for life-changing money.

To avoid becoming a statistic, always keep your tickets in a safe place and make it a habit to check them regularly. With jackpots as high as $320 million and exciting changes on the horizon, now is the time to play the lottery and see if luck is on your side. Remember, you have to be in it to win it!