BATON ROUGE – As of today, no one has stepped forward to claim a $25,000 Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions prize won during the July 5, 2016 drawing. The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K #4174 on Jackson Street in Alexandria and is set to expire Jan. 1, 2017.

The winning ticket matched four of the five white-ball numbers drawn and the yellow Mega Ball number to win $5,000. The winning ticket also included the $1 Megaplier option, which increased the prize to $25,000 when the Megaplier 5X was drawn. The winning numbers for the July 5, 2016 drawing were 29-46-53-64-73 and the Mega Ball number was 10.

The holder of the winning ticket has until 5 p.m. on the date of expiration to claim the prize, subject to the Lottery’s hours of operation. In this case, the winner must claim their prize by close of business on Friday, Dec. 30, due to Jan. 1 falling on a weekend. Winnings are subject to applicable federal and state tax withholdings. Prizes greater than $600 may be claimed at any of the Lottery’s five regional offices located throughout the state or at Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge. 

“We look forward to the winner coming forward to claim the prize. In the meantime, the individual should treat the ticket as cash,” said Lottery President Rose Hudson.  “It is also a good idea to sign the back of the ticket for security purposes.”

Winners of the Lottery’s draw-style games must claim their prize within 180 days of the drawing.  After prizes have passed their redemption deadlines, they are deposited into the Lottery’s unclaimed prize fund, which by law is returned to players in the form of increased payouts on scratch-off games and player promotions.

Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.  The Lottery encourages responsible play and urges anyone or friends of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll free 1-877-770-7867 for help.  A list of large unclaimed prizes set to expire can be found on the Lottery’s website at www.louisianalottery.com/unclaimed-prizes.