MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 26: A customer holds a Powerball lottery ticket after purchasing it at the Downtown Miami Souvenirs store on August 26, 2025, in Miami, Florida. The Powerball jackpot has reached an impressive $815 million ahead of Wednesday’s drawing, marking it as the 10th-largest jackpot in Powerball history.
Now is an excellent time for lottery players to scour through old tickets at home, in bags, or even in cars, as Powerball officials report that numerous winning tickets from past draws remain unclaimed. The potential prizes associated with these tickets can be substantial, and many players may not even realize they have won.
Thousands—if not millions—of dollars go unclaimed each year simply because individuals forget to check their tickets. Some players may rush only to verify the jackpot amount, leaving smaller, yet significant prizes unnoticed. Even those tickets that do not hit the jackpot can still lead to monetary gains.
Various reasons contribute to the high number of unclaimed prizes. Some players purchase tickets and forget about them, while others may misplace tickets or store them in drawers, wallets, or bags for months. A common misconception is that players did not win anything if they did not match all six numbers. However, Powerball offers several smaller prize tiers, with amounts ranging from $50 to potentially $50,000 or more for matching fewer numbers.
Moreover, lottery prizes come with deadlines. Each state imposes a time limit for claiming Powerball winnings, typically ranging from 180 days to one year, beyond which tickets expire, and the winnings cannot be claimed. Many unclaimed tickets are approaching these deadlines, prompting lottery officials to urge players to check their past tickets, regardless of their age.
These unclaimed tickets originate from various states, including New Jersey, Michigan, and Illinois. They were purchased at everyday locations such as gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience stores. Players can easily verify winning numbers by visiting their state lottery website, where past drawing results are available for comparison.
For those who find old tickets, the advice is clear: don’t discard them heedlessly. Check the draw date and numbers online. If a winning ticket is identified, it’s crucial to sign the back immediately to establish ownership. Winners can then visit a lottery retailer or state lottery office to claim their prize, with swift action increasing the likelihood of successfully securing their winnings.
With the excitement surrounding the skyrocketing jackpot and the reminder to check old tickets, the Powerball lottery continues to provide opportunities for many, igniting hope for players across the nation.