Millions in lottery winnings go unclaimed

MADISON (AP) - Double check those lottery numbers. The Wisconsin Lottery says millions of dollars in winnings go unclaimed every year.

Over a 13-year period ending last June, nearly $45 million wasn't claimed by lottery winners. And, that doesn't include scratch-off winnings.

Lottery spokesman Andrew Bohage says unclaimed winnings are expected to increase by about $3 million each year. Bohage says some players might not be aware that there are intermediate prizes, not just the big jackpot. While most of the unclaimed prizes are smaller amounts, the Appleton Post-Crescent says there were also some big oversights. A $1 million winning Powerball ticket was sold at a store in Racine County in August 2009. But the 180-day redemption period expired and the ticket went unclaimed.