CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The person that purchased a $1 million Powerball ticket last week in Petersburg has come forward and claimed their prize.
West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers said the person collected the winnings at the end of the week. State law allows jackpot winners to remain anonymous.
The ticket was purchased at Hartman’s Gas & Go on Keyser Avenue before Wednesday night’s drawing. The winning ticket for the $1 billion jackpot was purchased in Los Angeles. The winner has yet to coming forward.
There have been four $50,000 Powerball winners in West Virginia in recent weeks but so far only one of those winners has come forward. Myers said winners have 180 days to claim their prize and after that the money goes in the Lottery’s unclaimed winnings fund.
“We use that money to go back to the players. It goes to a special drawing or something of that nature. It funds something so that the players end up getting the money because they put it in there to start with,” Myers said.
Those with winning tickets are asked to sign them and contact the Lottery.
The Powerball jackpot is now back to $28 million but Mega Millions continues to grow. It will be $820 million for Tuesday’s drawing with a cash payout of $422 million. Myers predicts brisk sales in West Virginia.
“When you have that much disparity I’m sure you’ll have increased play on the Mega Millions side now,” Myers said.