Unclaimed Lottery Prizes: What Happens to Jackpot Money That Isn't Collected?  

Expiration Date – Lottery prizes have a claim deadline, usually between 180 and 365 days from the drawing date. 

State Funds – In most cases, unclaimed prizes are redirected to the state’s education or public services funds. 

Prize Pool Adjustment – For some lotteries, unclaimed jackpot money is added to the next prize pool, increasing the amount for the next drawing. 

Charity Donations – Some states may use unclaimed prize money for charitable purposes, such as funding local nonprofits or causes. 

Second Chance Drawings – In some regions, unclaimed prizes may be used to create second-chance drawings for non-jackpot ticket holders. 

Administrative Fees – A portion of the unclaimed prize could also cover operational costs, such as lottery administration and marketing. 

Multiple Winners – If a jackpot is unclaimed but multiple tickets are sold, the prize might be split among all valid claims, even after the deadline. 

Public Awareness – States often make announcements to remind winners to check their tickets, especially as deadlines approach. 

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