Lottery warning to check tickets for unclaimed prize worth $1.2 million & it was sold at a small town convenience store

POWERBALL players should look out for a missing ticket, as it could turn their rags to riches.

That's because one lotto player who bought a ticket in California is sitting on a life-changing win. And although they didn't secure the full $810 million jackpot, they still matched five of the six Powerball numbers.

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This means there's $1.2 million up for grabs, but only if the player can find their ticket.

LUCKY YEAR

The drawing took place on New Year's Day and remains unclaimed.

The winning numbers are 12, 21, 42, 44, 49, and a Powerball of 1.  

Powerball prizes besides the jackpot must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date.

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This means the player will have until June 29, 2024, to find their claim to fortune, but they might want to start looking before winter ends.

The ticket was purchased from the Country Store and Dessert Cafe in the town of Baker, at the northern edge of the Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County.

To claim their prize, the winner must stop at a Lottery District Office.

California has offices in various cities like Sacramento, Milipitas, Richmond, Fresno, San Diego, and Costa Mesa.

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Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and appointments aren't necessary.

Aside from the $1.2 million load, there are also six remaining tickets each worth $23,000, according to California lottery officials.

These tickets were able to match four out of the six Powerball numbers.

In Minnesota, there are still four unclaimed prizes worth over $2.3 million.

HOW TO PLAY

Players pay $2 to buy a Powerball ticket, or they can pay another dollar to add Power Play to their ticket and multiply winnings.

Players pick five digits from one through 69 for the white balls, and then a Powerball number between one and 26 for the red ball.

There are a couple of different ways to win the Powerball game.

But the only way to get the jackpot is by matching all six balls.

Matching five numbers can still score $1 million while matching four numbers and a Powerball number earns around a $50,000 total.

Playing lottery games is a form of gambling. Don't buy a ticket unless it's in your budget.

If you or someone you know struggles with a gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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