WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Washington’s Lottery officials announced yesterday, October 17th, there was a $1 million October 6th Mega Millions winner with a ticket purchased at the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale. That prize, as of October 18th, remains unclaimed.
Winning players have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize. By law, the prizes that aren’t claimed are placed into a reserve account. Each June, the surplus in the reserve account is transferred to the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA).
Washington’s Lottery has regional offices located in Everett, Federal Way, Olympia, Spokane, and Yakima, which are open to the public to claim prizes Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Washington’s Lottery is encouraging winners with prizes up to $100,000 who cannot travel to one of these locationsl to mail in their winning ticket to claim their prize. Winners with tickets for $100,000 or more are asked to call the nearest Lottery office to schedule an appointment to make a safe and secure in-person claim. Washington Lottery (October 17, 2023)
The state’s Lottery offers different types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Pick 3, Daily Keno and Scratch.
Lottery officials say lottery ticket sales provide funds for the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA). In FY21, WOPA received $185.7 million from the Lottery, enough to pay college tuition for more than 18,000 Washington residents. It also provides approximately $40 million annually toward for the state’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.