Lottery warning to check tickets as Powerball $1 million prize goes unclaimed – and it was bought at a gas station

LOTTERY players in one southern state are being urged to check their ticket numbers as one lucky winner can now take home a massive $1million prize.

Several people in Arkansas won big last week, with many taking home thousands of dollars in prizes, lottery officials have said.

One special player even won $1million after purchasing a Powerball ticket at Flash Market located at 3400 N. Washington St. in Forrest City – around 93 miles east of Little Rock.

Lottery officials said the play matched all five white balls in the Powerball drawing on Wednesday, however they didn’t score the big jackpot as they failed to match the Powerball number.

The winning white ball numbers were 4, 27, 33, 41 and 42 with a Powerball number of 14.

The game had a multiplier of two.

It was not immediately clear if the winner had claimed the big prize as of Sunday.

If you believe you or someone you know had the winning ticket, be sure to check those numbers as soon as possible.

Arkansas saw other big wins across the state on the same day as one LOTTO player took home $25,000 after purchasing a ticket at Good Spirits in Hot Springs Village, just one hour west of Little Rock.

In the same LOTTO drawing, three other players took home $1,500.

Overall, there were approximately 2,965 winners in the LOTTO drawing with a combined prize of $44,279, lottery officials said.

It is important to remember that all prize money won from the Arkansas lottery does face federal and state taxes.

In the state, roughly 24% of winnings are withheld on prizes above $5,000 for federal taxes while prizes of the same value face a 4.4% state tax.

Those who win over $500 are able to claim their winnings at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center or by mail.

Meanwhile, those taking home over $1 million must claim the winnings in person.

Prize money can be collected in a lump sum cash prize or in annual installment payments.

For online games, like Powerball and Mega Millions, players have 180 days from the drawing date to collect their winnings.

Instant game winners have 90 days from the last day to purchase tickets in the game to collect their prize.

If you are one of the lucky winners, officials recommend that you make a plan to safeguard your big prize.

Specifically, lottery officials suggest winners sign their winning ticket, set a budget and consult a financial expert before collecting the prize money.