A $78 Million Lottery Jackpot in Texas Hasn't Been Claimed Yet

Someone won a $78 million lottery jackpot after purchasing a ticket at a bait and tackle shop in Texas, but the clock is ticking.

"The prize has not yet been claimed," Texas Lottery officials wrote on November 17. There's still time. "The winner has 180 days from the draw date to claim the prize," they added.

A massive prize is at stake.

• The "jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated annuitized $78 million for the Lotto Texas drawing held on November 15 was purchased at Gordon’s Bait & Tackle, located at 7066 Padre Island Highway, in Brownsville," the Texas Lottery said in a news release.
• The winning ticket with player-selected numbers "matched all six of the numbers drawn (7-17-23-28-39-48)."
• At an advertised $78 million, "it was the sixth largest jackpot in Lotto Texas history," the lottery says.
• The cash value option "was selected at the time of purchase and the claimant will receive an estimated $43.6 million before taxes," the Texas Lottery wrote.

The Lotto Texas Jackpot Grew Because Nobody Won for 116 Drawings, the Lottery Says

According to the lottery, the back and tackle shop won't get a retailer bonus, other than "the standard 5 percent sales commission."

"The Texas Lottery's retailer bonus program currently awards retailer bonuses only for jackpot-winning tickets sold for Powerball and Mega Millions," the lottery wrote in a news release.

The winning Lotto Texas jackpot "started as an advertised $5 million prize for the drawing on February 19 and stretched a record 116 drawings upon getting hit on Saturday evening" November 15, the lottery's release says.

“We are thrilled that a lucky player purchased the jackpot-winning ticket for this long-awaited Lotto Texas jackpot win, which is one of the largest in the game’s history,” said Courtney Arbour, executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which oversees the Texas Lottery, in the release.

Lottery Officials Advise the Winner to 'Sign Your Ticket, Keep It In a Safe Place'

Lottery officials had some advice for the winner - whomever it is.

“We look forward to meeting and congratulating the winner when they come forward to claim the prize. Texans can feel confident that wins like this are supported by secure, well-managed games under TDLR," Arbour said.

"If you believe you are the lucky ticket holder, please sign your ticket, keep it in a safe place, seek financial and legal advice, and call the Texas Lottery to schedule anappointment to claim your prize.”

The lottery's release notes, "In addition to the jackpot-winning prize, 82,314 Lotto Texas tickets, including those with the Extra! add-on feature, won lower-tier prizes ranging from $2 to $12,063 for the same drawing. The jackpot for the next Lotto Texas drawing on Monday, Nov. 17 resets to at an estimated annuitized $5 million."

"Lotto Texas is played by picking six numbers from one to 54 and offers multimillion-dollar jackpots," according to the lottery. "Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:12 p.m. CT. For $1 more per Play, a player can select the Extra! add-on feature for a chance to win up to $10,000 more on non-jackpot prizes."

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