Lottery Ticket Expires; Winner Loses Out on $1 Million

Could it have belonged to an Illinoisian?

A winning Powerball lottery ticket sold in Racine County, Wis., was worth $1 million to the player who purchased it -- up until Monday.

For only the second time in the Wisconsin Lottery's 22-year history, a $1 million winning ticket has gone unclaimed and expired, officials said.

The proceeds now return to state residents to help offset property taxes.

"In six months we had no phone calls, no stories about the ticket being lost, or accidentally thrown away; no word of any kind," said lottery director Mike Edmonds.  "It was very unusual."

All Wisconsin Lottery games do expire in 180 days or six months, as set by the state.  A $1 million ticket sold in 1993 in Crivitz, Wis., also was never redeemed, officials said.

 

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