AUSTIN TX — Texas Lottery winners have a 180-day window from the draw date to claim their prizes, but what happens to unclaimed funds from winning tickets?
According to Texas Lottery officials, unclaimed prize money does not vanish but is directed toward various state programs authorized by the Texas Legislature. Primary beneficiaries include the Foundation School Fund and Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. Government Code Section 466.408 outlines the comprehensive list and priority of state programs entitled to utilize unclaimed prize funds, as stated by Texas Lottery officials.
Redeeming a winning ticket varies based on the prize amount, as outlined by the Texas Lottery. Most prizes can be claimed through a local claim center, the Lottery Commission in Austin, or via an online claim form for postal mailing. Additionally, prizes of $599 or less are redeemable at any Texas Lottery retailer, according to the Texas Lottery website.
Prizes ranging between $600 and $5,000 are claimable through the Texas Lottery mobile app, while tickets valued above $2.5 million up to $5 million can be redeemed at designated claim centers in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, or via the Lottery Commission in Austin using the online claim form.
For substantial prizes exceeding $5 million, such as Lotto Texas, Powerball, and Mega Millions jackpot prizes, and those paid by annuities, the redemption process must occur at Texas Lottery headquarters in Austin.
A notable instance of an unclaimed prize involves a Powerball ticket worth $1 million from the July 19, 2023 drawing, sold in Houston at Big Shot on 9780 Bissonnet St. The ticket matched all five white balls (7-10-11-13-24) but not the red Powerball number (24). The deadline to claim this prize is approaching on Jan. 15, as per the Texas Lottery Commission.
Among the array of available Texas Lottery games are Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto Texas, Texas Two Step, All or Nothing, Pick 3, Daily 4, Cash Five, and Scratch Tickets.
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