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Lotto warning to check numbers as $278,000 jackpot set to expire in weeks – and ticket was bought at a gas station
One lucky winner has a few weeks to step forward and claim their prize
LOTTERY officials are urging players to check their tickets for an unclaimed $278,000 prize.
The winning lottery ticket was sold months ago at a gas station in Missouri.
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On March 22, one lucky player managed to win the Missouri Lottery's Show Me Cash game.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Phillips 66 gas station.
The gas station is located at 4300 South Kingshighway Boulevard, St. Louis.
It's right across the street from Sherman Park and about three miles north of Forest Park, home to the Saint Louis Zoo and Art Museum.
Read More On Lottery Prizes
According to the Missouri Lottery, winners have 180 days after the drawing date to claim their prize.
That means the lucky winner has until Wednesday, September 18 to claim their prize.
Otherwise, like all unclaimed winning tickets, the prize money will be donated to benefit Missouri's public education.
SHOW ME CASH
Show Me Cash is an in-state lotto game unique to Missouri.
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The game costs just $1 per play.
Show Me Cash jackpots start at $50,000, and grow every day until someone wins.
I won lotto prize but CAN’T claim any of it because of silly account mistake
The prize increases by a minimum of $5,000 per day until won.
Drawings are held daily at 8:59 pm local time.
Playing Show Me Cash is simple.
Players select one set of five different numbers between one and 39, and mark them on a Show Me Cash playslip.
How to Claim Your Show Me Cash Winnings
It's easy to get caught up in the joy of winning a jackpot prize.
Once you're done celebrating, check out this step-by-step guide for claiming your Show Me Cash winnings.
- Sign your ticket. Sign the back of your ticket – it will help ensure that it belongs to you, and only you.
- Store your ticket in a safe place. Keep it in a safe, security box, or other secure location that only you know the whereabouts of.
- Keep taxes in mind. No matter what payment option you choose – lump sum or annuity payments – you'll need to pay federal and state taxes on your winnings.
- Think about your payment options. If you win a Lotto jackpot, such as the Show Me Cash prize, you can choose to receive about half of the advertised prize amount in one lump sum payment, minus taxes. Otherwise, you can choose to receive the full prize amount, minus taxes, in 25 payments throughout 24 years.
- Be mindful of expiration dates. Winners have 180 days to claim their prize winnings in Missouri. However, they only have 60 days to claim the "lump sum" cash option. Waiting may cost you the ability to choose the lump sum payment option, or the prize altogether.
- Schedule an appointment at a Missouri Lottery office. You'll be able to fill out any necessary paperwork to claim your winnings.
Schedule an appointment at a Missouri Lottery office. You'll be able to fill out any necessary paperwork to claim your winnings. - Consider what information you'd like released about your win. Your winnings are public knowledge, but you don't have to be. Under Missouri state law, effective August 28, 2021, a lottery winner's name will only be released if they provide written consent to do so.
- Wait. Once your ticket is in safe hands and you've completed your paperwork, it's time to play the waiting game. Most prizes take about 10-14 or 14-21 business days to process, meaning you'll have to wait a few weeks before you a) receive a lump sum or b) start receiving annual payments.
For more information about claiming your Show Me Cash prize, call the Missouri Lottery Headquarters at 573-751-4050 and ask to speak to the Game Accounting Manager.
Players can also choose to use the Quick Pick option, which allows the computer to randomly choose five numbers.
Players can also choose the Multi-Draw option, which allows them to play the same five numbers for up to 14 consecutive drawings.
Overall chances of winning a Show Me Cash prize are 1 in 8.77.
Matching two, three, four, or all five numbers will result in the following prize:
- Matching two of the five numbers: $1
- Matching three of the five numbers: $10
- Matching four of the five numbers: $250
- Matching five of the five numbers: Jackpot, a minimum of $50,000
EZ Match
Players who purchase a Show Me Cash lottery ticket can also add on EZ Match for an additional $1 per day.
To play EZ Match, players fill out a Lotto EZ Match payslip and mark the EZ Match box.
Each "play," or ticket with the EZ Match option selected will print as a separate ticket.
If a player chooses the EZ Match option, six EZ Match numbers will print on the Lotto ticket below the player's six chosen Lotto numbers.
If any of the EZ Match numbers match the selected Lotto numbers, regardless of their order, the player instantly wins the prize amount printed next to the matched EZ Match numbers.
EZ Match: Chances of Winning and Prize Payouts
EZ Match may only cost $1 per day, but it will drastically increase a player's chances of winning a prize.
The overall chance of winning an EZ Match prize is 1 in 4.21.
- $500 – 1 in 84,000
- $250 – 1 in 84,000
- $100 – 1 in 28,000
- $50 – 1 in 8,400
- $20 – 1 in 3,360
- $15 – 1 in 2,100
- $10 – 1 in 442.11
- $5 – 1 in 420
- $4 – 1 in 76.36
- $3 – 1 in 14.48
- $2 – 1 in 6.68
A LOT MORE LOTTO
Most lottery players dream of winning a big prize – or securing that elusive and exclusive jackpot.
However, not all winners immediately step forward to claim their prizes.
Check out more unclaimed lottery tickets, from Powerball players to two mystery winners who still haven't split – or even claimed – their $1 million prize.
Read More on The US Sun
See what happens when one winner scores a $10 million prize – and learn how one player narrowly missed out on a multi-million dollar jackpot.
Plus, how winning a $314 million Powerball jackpot ruined this man's life, from tragic deaths to thefts, house fires, drugs, and more.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.