The US Sun

Mega Millions winner has just hours left to claim $2 million prize before ticket expires – a second is also up for grabs

By Molly Bowcott,

4 hours ago

MEGA Millions players have been urged to check their tickets as one lucky winner has just hours left to claim their $2 million prize.

Lottery players across California now face a race against the clock.

And this is not the only multi-million dollar winning ticket in the state, according to NBC affiliate KNBC.

Another lucky player also won a whopping $2 million from a Mega Millions ticket and time is also running out for them to claim their winnings.

The first ticket was purchased at a Stater Bros. supermarket in Southern California for a drawing on March 5.

It matched five of the six numbers which were 2, 49, 50, 61, and 70.

The ticket is worth over $2.15 million and will expire this Sunday.

The winner has until 5 pm tomorrow to bring the ticket to a lottery office in California.

So players better check their numbers before time runs out.

The second winning ticket was bought from a 7-Eleven in Southern California for a drawing on March 23.

It matched five of the six numbers, missing the Powerball number of 3.

The other winning numbers were 6, 23, 25, 34, and 51.

The ticket is worth over $2.46 million and expires on September 19.

So while this lucky player has slightly more time to come forward, time is still running out.

MEGA MILLIONS

Mega Millions players have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their winnings in California.

Drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings each week.

Tickets cost $2 and can still be bought on the day of the drawing.

To win the Mega Millions jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball.

Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.

Edwin Castro - $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
Theodorus Struyck - $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
Unknown winner - $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida - $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
Unknown winner - $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
Unknown winner - he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden - $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
Unknown winner - $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao - $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
Yanira Alvarez - $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
Wolverine FLL Lottery Club - $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
Unknown winner - $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.

If you win the jackpot, there are two options to choose from when collecting your winnings.

The annuity option gives the player one immediate payment and then 29 annual payments.

The other choice players may make is the cash option, which is a one-time lump sum payment.

Other recent Mega Millions winnings have included a $2 million pri z e in South Carolina, a $1 million prize in Texas, and another $1 million prize in New Jersey.