A Powerball ticket worth $1 million, sold in Houston for the July 19, 2023, drawing, remains unclaimed, and the deadline for the lucky winner to come forward is quickly approaching on Jan. 15.
Texas Lottery officials have urged the ticket holder to check their numbers and claim their prize before the deadline expires. The winning ticket, sold at Big Shot located at 9780 Bissonnet St., matched all five white balls (7-10-11-13-24) but missed the red Powerball number (24).
Lottery players have 180 days following the draw date to claim their prize, and in this case, the window is closing soon. The Texas Lottery Commission disclosed that unclaimed prizes don’t simply vanish; they revert back to the state for use in various programs authorized by the Texas Legislature.
“Unclaimed prizes revert back to the State to use for several programs authorized by the Texas Legislature, including the Foundation School Fund and Fund for Veterans’ Assistance,” Texas Lottery officials explained. Government Code Section 466.408 outlines the complete list and priority of state programs authorized to benefit from unclaimed prize money.
Claiming a prize is a straightforward process, depending on the amount won. Prizes of $599 or less can be redeemed at any Texas Lottery retailer, a local claim center, the Lottery Commission in Austin, or online by filling out a claim form. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, the Texas Lottery mobile app is an additional redemption option.
For larger prizes, such as those exceeding $2.5 million, winners can redeem their tickets at designated Claim Centers or the Lottery Commission in Austin. Jackpot prizes for games like Lotto Texas®, Powerball®, and Mega Millions® and prizes paid by annuities must be processed at the Texas Lottery headquarters in Austin.
Lottery players and enthusiasts are encouraged to double-check their tickets and ensure they don’t miss out on potential windfalls. The unclaimed $1 million Powerball ticket serves as a reminder that a fortune may be waiting for someone to discover it before it returns to benefit statewide programs.