Nearly $40M in Wisconsin Lottery prizes unclaimed
APPLETON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Lottery says winners have failed to claim nearly $40 million in prizes in the past 11 years. And that figure doesn't include unclaimed scratch-off winners.
Lottery spokesman Andrew Bohage says based on recent trends, another $3 million in winnings will go unclaimed for the year ending June 30.
Prizes for lotto games must be redeemed within 180 days. All unclaimed money goes for property tax relief.
Bohage says he can't pinpoint a single reason why the money isn't claimed. He suspects many players don't understand that there are intermediate levels beyond the jackpots.
For example, the multistate Powerball game offers several prizes ranging from $7 to $200,000 for matching some of the six winning numbers.
Apr 7, 2009 at 5:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
I highly doubt the money is stockpiled... I am sure if EVERYONE were to show up at the Lottery office with winning tickets, they wouldn't be able to cover them. Besides, as stated, once they are older than 180 days, its FREE money to the state.
Same principal as "a run on the bank". If every single person in the state of Wisconsin when to their individual banks and tried to withdraw every cent they "have", the funds would be locked up for at least 90 days (from what I remember). Also, the FDIC only insures up to $100,000 anyway.
Remember the movie "Its a Wonderful Life..."
Apr 7, 2009 at 2:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Perhaps this speaks to the overall intelligence of the people who buy lottery tickets.
Apr 7, 2009 at 2:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
I'm confused.
Wasn't a portion of the monies generated from the lottery supposed to go towards propery tax relief from the very beginning? Not just monies from unclaimed pay outs?
If the tickets are only vailid for 180 days and must be redeemed by then why are they stockpiling the money for 11 years?
Apr 7, 2009 at 12:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
rexkramer, the money actually has been used for property tax relief. It should appear on your tax bill as the Lottery and Gaming Credit.
http://www.dor.state.wi.us/faqs/slf/lott...
.
If you have purchased a home or converted it to your primary residence since 1999 you may need to file an application to activate the credit.
Apr 7, 2009 at 11:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Maybe the state should ask you for an I.D when buying and scan it so they can call you when you have a unclaimed prize. (Just Kidding) Do you really think the lottery or state give a crap if you claim a prize or not? I will answer that (NO) because they get to keep the money
Apr 7, 2009 at 10:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
It was used for a bailout.
Apr 7, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
I'd guess a lot of the money goes to tickets that were left in clothes and accidentally washed, or small prize wins on tickets bought by tourists from states which don't have Powerball.
Apr 7, 2009 at 12:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
Rex you are more right than you know!
Apr 6, 2009 at 11:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Property tax relief. Don't count on it, when Diamond Jim gets wind that there's money lying around somewhere he'll find a way to "transfer" it to another spending program. Sort of like his plan for those $25 cell phone credits he's planning on stealing from everyone.
Apr 6, 2009 at 7:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dang it!!!
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
There's a stimulus package in of itself.
Apr 6, 2009 at 5:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
the dog ate mine.
Apr 6, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Really, there are people out there who don't realize that there are multiple prizes in Powerball??? Even after the entire bottom half of the ticket clearly shows it? That's a sad commentary on the reading ability of our citizens. And, oh, btw, the prizes range from $3 to $200,000. Not $7... maybe the author of the article has been throwing away their tickets also:)
Apr 6, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Well, I am glad it goes for something, I have some property tax I need relief of, where do I apply? lol.
Apr 6, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Suggest removal
LOL beeferer and jvldss :)
Apr 6, 2009 at 2 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine ...
Apr 6, 2009 at 1:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
My address is.......
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.