Lucky tickets go unclaimed as powerball prize deadline nears

Lucky tickets go unclaimed as Powerball prize deadline nears

Two $50K Powerball tickets still unclaimed in New Jersey as deadlines loom

TRENTON, NJ – Somewhere in New Jersey, two winning Powerball tickets worth $50,000 each are collecting dust — and time is quickly running out before the prizes vanish for good.

The first ticket, sold at a 7-Eleven on Lafayette Road in Edison, is set to expire on January 13 unless it’s claimed. The second, purchased at Wine Outlet on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach, will be worthless after February 1. Both tickets matched enough numbers to secure a $50,000 payout, but neither winner has come forward.

New Jersey Lottery officials are urging players to double-check any old tickets, especially with the one-year expiration clock ticking since the draw dates. Each year, thousands of dollars in winnings go unclaimed statewide, but prizes of this size are more unusual to be left on the table.

In a similar case earlier this year, a Mercer County player nearly missed out on a $1 million Mega Millions prize — a winning ticket tossed aside for four months before the lucky player double-checked the numbers and made the life-changing discovery.

According to state rules, New Jersey Lottery prizes expire one year from the draw date. Players can visit the official website or use the NJ Lottery app to scan and check old tickets. Once a prize expires, it cannot be claimed.

The New Jersey Lottery has paid out billions in prizes and also contributes heavily to the state budget. Since 1970, it has generated nearly $34.7 billion, with a portion supporting the public employee pension system under a long-term agreement signed into law in 2017.

Anyone holding a potentially winning ticket is encouraged to act fast before time runs out.

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Key Points

  • Two $50,000 Powerball tickets sold in Edison and Point Pleasant Beach remain unclaimed
  • One ticket expires January 13, the other February 1
  • New Jersey Lottery urges players to recheck old tickets before they become void
Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News