Michigan State Lottery
Last month, millions of people across the United States spent time fantasizing about what they’d do if they won an unfathomable amount of money when the Mega Millions jackpot hit the $1 billion mark and only continued to grow.
In my case, it was:
- Purchase the rights to the entire catalog of Sugar Ray
- Pay Guy Fieri to officiate my wedding
- Buy that giant statue of Jeff Goldblum
- Finally get off my parents’ cell phone plan
Despite the infinitesimal odds, people flocked to gas stations and convenience stores and helped that number rise to $1.6 billion, which made it the biggest jackpot in history. It reached a point where you could theoretically buy every single combination of numbers and net $300 million (assuming no one else managed to match them as well).
When everything was said and done, a lone soul in South Carolina was in possession of the winning ticket. However, it appears they’re in no rush to cash in.
It’s been three weeks since the winning numbers were drawn, but according to Business Insider, no one has stepped forward to claim the prize. They have until April 21st to do so, but if they don’t, the money will be put back into the pool.
There are more than a few instances of people having their lives ruined after winning the lottery but I have a hard time imagining someone would be able to burn through $1.6 billion unless they made a conscious effort to do so.
It’s worth noting South Carolina is one of six states where you can anonymously claim your winnings, and if the winner is following the suggested protocol, there’s a chance they’re working with a lottery expert to get their ducks in a row before getting the giant check.
Of course, there’s also a chance they pulled a Waking Ned Devine and died from a heart attack after realizing they’d hit the big time.
Let the countdown begin.