A Kendallville couple claimed their $1 million Powerball prize just five hours before expiration at the Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment Office in Indianapolis on December 26, 2023.

The winning ticket matched all five white balls (26, 51, 54, 61, and 69) from the June 29 drawing, missing only the red Powerball 25 that would have won them the $115.5 million jackpot.

The anonymous winners discovered the ticket in their vehicle on Christmas morning after an extensive search prompted by local news coverage and gas station signage about the unclaimed prize. Indiana lottery law requires winners to claim prizes within 180 days of the drawing, unlike many states that allow up to one year.

The $1 million prize is subject to a 37% federal tax and 3.05% Indiana state tax.

Unclaimed lottery prizes remain a significant issue nationwide:

• An estimated $3 billion in lottery tickets go unclaimed annually across the U.S.
• Notable unclaimed prizes include:
  • $77 million Powerball jackpot (Georgia, 2011)
  • $50 million Powerball ticket (Florida, 2013)
  • $68 million Mega Millions ticket (New York, 2022)
  • $46 million Mega Millions prize (Brooklyn, 2023)

Unclaimed prize money typically returns to state lotteries for future prizes or supported programs. Online lottery sales and courier services help prevent lost tickets by automatically crediting wins and storing ticket information digitally.

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