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A California Powerball ticket worth $1,532,761 is still unclaimed, and the winner has only until Aug. 20 to collect it.
According to the California Lottery, the ticket came from the Feb. 21 Powerball drawing and was sold at Varso Gas at the corner of Escondido Boulevard and Brotherton Road in Escondido. The ticket matched five numbers — 27, 28, 36, 48 and 49 — and missed only the Powerball number, 21.
If nobody claims the prize by the deadline, the money will go to California public schools under state statute.
Where the winning California ticket was sold
The unclaimed ticket was purchased in Escondido, in San Diego County. California Lottery says prizes for five-number Powerball matches must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date, which makes Aug. 20 the final valid day for this ticket.
The source article says claim instructions include visiting a California Lottery District Office, bringing the original winning ticket, presenting a government-issued photo ID, and completing a claim form.
What California players should know before the deadline
For players checking old tickets, the key point is simple: this prize is tied to the Feb. 21 drawing, and the winning numbers were 27, 28, 36, 48 and 49. The ticket did not include the Powerball number 21, which is why the payout is $1,532,761 rather than the jackpot.
The story comes as the Powerball jackpot has climbed to $1 billion, with a cash option of $433.1 million, but that separate top prize does not affect the Aug. 20 deadline for the Escondido ticket.
Whether the winning ticket has already been claimed before that date remains an open question based on the source report. If it is not claimed in time, the prize money will be directed to California public schools.
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Source: As reported by Tony Garcia.
