Big NC Powerball Winners Keeping Silent

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 posted 12:47 PM EST

RALEIGH - Time is running out for Powerball winners in North Carolina from last year including one winner in the state who has yet to claim a $74.5 million prize.

One winner, who had a winning prize of $200,000 in a drawing from last year, is getting periously close to losing their winnings.

According to lottery officials, they have about two weeks to claim the prize on the ticket that was purchased at Express #49 on South Boulevard in Charlotte .

The NC Lottery says that the winning ticket matched all five white balls for the August 23, 2006 Powerball drawing. The winning numbers for that drawing are 8-17-24-38-51 and the Powerball was 31.

That winner has until the close of business on February 19th to claim their prize at North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) headquarters in Raleigh, say lottery officials.

Big Powerball Winner Still Out There

The lottery also says they are still "anxiously waiting" to meet the multi-millionaire that has yet to claim the $74.5 million prize for the winning ticket that matched all six balls on the November 29, 2006 Powerball drawing.

Lottery officials say they still have a little over 100 days to claim the prize because that deadline is May 29.

Some speculated that the winner was waiting until after the new year starting to cash in their winning ticket for tax purposes.

However, lottery officials say they are beginning to wonder what North Carolina 's first jackpot ticket holder is waiting for.

"Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me about that jackpot," said Tom Shaheen, NCEL executive director in a released statement. "People want to know if we have heard from the winner yet, but so far my answer has been not yet."

NC lottery players have 180 days from the day of the drawing to claim prizes for Powerball and the state drawing games which include "Carolina Cash 5" and "Carolina Pick 3."

Instant scratch-off winning tickets must be claimed within 90 days from the announced end of game.

In the case of the large jackpot winning ticket the 180th day is on Memorial Day so the person holding the ticket has until the close of business the next day.

"We hope they don't wait that long," Shaheen joked.

Related Links
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	Search Past North Carolina Lottery Winning Numbers