A man who won a $44 million jackpot months ago claims he still hasn’t received the money, raising concerns about the payout process.
A man from California is making headlines after saying he still hasn’t received his $44M lottery prize, even though he won it over two months ago.
Jerry, a resident of Orange County, matched all six numbers in the Powerball lottery draw on August 19.
As a regular player, he often buys tickets for various games like Powerball, Fantasy 5, and others.
The man was excited when he discovered he had won a jackpot
He recalled the moment he checked his numbers, saying, “It was exciting in a really subtle way because you don’t anticipate ever hitting all six.”
Matching all the numbers in the Powerball is rare, and he knew the odds were against him.
In fact, he joked that it was more likely to be struck by lightning than to win such a large prize.
“Six numbers on the Powerball is… the odds are you’ll die before… You’ll walk out and get hit by lightning before you win that one.”
However, after the initial excitement wore off, Jerry faced a frustrating wait for his winnings.
Despite the joy of winning, he found the process of claiming his prize to be “horrible.”
He stated that the lottery officials did not provide a clear timeline. Instead, he was left in the dark, waiting and hoping for the money.
The California man lamented about the jackpot claims process
According to Jerry, the lottery claims process is confusing and stressful.
He expressed his frustration about not knowing when he would receive his funds.
“They won’t tell you by this date, you’ll get the funds. They won’t tell you that.
They leave it open-ended so you’re sitting, waiting daily… (hoping you’re going to get these funds),” he explained.
This uncertainty has made the waiting period even more challenging.
Authorities responded to the delay
The California State Lottery, which oversees the distribution of winnings, confirmed that delays can happen.
Carolyn Becker, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, stated that while some winners get money in four weeks, it’s uncommon.
The goal is usually to complete the claims process within six to eight weeks, but it can take longer in certain cases.
What’s the reason for the delay?
The California State Lottery has a thorough vetting process for large lottery wins.
This involves an investigation by their law enforcement team to ensure the validity of the claim.
They also check if the winner owes any taxes or child support to the state.
Becker explained that the lottery processes over 10,000 claims each month, which can lead to longer wait times for some winners.
Becker explained: “California Lottery processes, believe it or not, 10,000 plus claims a month, so we want to manage the expectations of our winners.”
While Jerry waits for his prize, he remains hopeful that he will receive it soon.
He dreams of how he would spend his newfound wealth but is aware that he must first navigate the complexities of the lottery system.
The delay in awarding lottery prizes is a common experience
Jerry’s experience is not unique. Many lottery winners have reported similar frustrations when claiming their prizes.
The lengthy waiting periods and complicated processes can take away some of the joy of winning.
For many, the excitement of winning is quickly overshadowed by the stress of not knowing when they will see their money.
Despite the challenges, Jerry continues to play the lottery.
He believes in taking chances, and the thrill of possibly winning again keeps him going.
He said, “I play all the games,” indicating his dedication to trying his luck.