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Faramarz Lahijani, a man from California, experienced an unexpected turn of fortune after winning the Mega Millions jackpot of $394 million in the draw on December 8, 2023.
However, his dream of claiming the entire prize slipped away for a very peculiar reason: he only presented one ticket, despite claiming to have bought two, reported the Univisión channel.
The California Lottery system, during verification, detected that two tickets had matched the winning numbers. Lahijani claims he purchased them with the same numbers he has played his entire life, but he was only able to claim half of the prize, which amounts to 197 million dollars, because he lost the second ticket.
The man claims that he purchased both tickets at a Chevron gas station in Encino, using the same numbers he has played for the past 30 years: 21, 26, 53, 66, 70, and the Mega Ball 13.
According to his account, he had them with him, but he couldn't find one of them at the time of making the claim. In light of this situation, the California Lottery informed him that he could only collect half of the prize, as the regulations state that prizes must be claimed with complete tickets.
The man filed a formal complaint with the California Lottery Commission and subsequently, in a legal twist, sued the institution before the deadline to claim the second prize expired. In his lawsuit, he requests the payment of the remaining 197 million dollars, arguing that the lost ticket rightfully belongs to him.
The California Lottery, for its part, maintains its position of not commenting on pending litigation and explained that it has no means to identify the holder of the second unclaimed ticket. Additionally, it reminded that according to its regulations, if the ticket does not come forward by the deadline, the funds will be allocated to public education programs in California.
Although the Mega Millions prize of 197 million dollars is lost for winners who do not claim their tickets, the money does not disappear completely. According to the California Lottery, this money will be redirected to the state's educational programs, benefiting thousands of students.
Starting in April 2025, ticket prices will increase from $2 to $5. This measure aims to boost the size of the prizes and the chances of winning, albeit at a higher cost for the participants.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mega Millions Prize and Changes to the Game
Why did Faramarz Lahijani only receive half of the Mega Millions prize?
Faramarz Lahijani only received half of the $394 million prize because he submitted a single winning ticket. Although he claims to have purchased two tickets with the same numbers, he was unable to find the second ticket when it was time to claim the prize, according to California Lottery rules which require the ticket to be presented in order to claim the winnings.
What will happen to the unclaimed Mega Millions ticket money?
According to the regulations of the California Lottery, unclaimed ticket money will be allocated to public education programs in the state. This means that even if the winner does not claim the prize, the funds will be used to benefit students and schools in California.
What are the regulations for claiming a prize from the California Lottery?
To claim a prize from the California Lottery, it is necessary to present the complete ticket. Without the ticket, it is not possible to claim the prize. If the ticket does not appear before the deadline, the prize will be allocated to public programs, such as education initiatives.
Why will Mega Millions ticket prices increase in 2025?
The price of Mega Millions tickets will increase to $5 starting in April 2025. This increase aims to provide larger jackpots, improve the odds of winning, and attract more players. With this measure, the organizers hope that players will appreciate the changes despite the rise in cost.
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