Big Lotto prize still unclaimed

YAKIMA, Wash. — After waiting about six weeks for the winner to come forward, Lottery officials are losing hope that a $3.4 million prize will be claimed.

"That's not a good sign," Washington Lottery spokesperson Jacque Coe said. "If you were holding a ticket worth $3.4 million, wouldn't you have come forward by now?"

The winning ticket's numbers -- 12-27-30-31-47-49 -- were drawn May 11. The recipient has 180 days to collect the prize.

For selling the winning ticket, Cruisin' Bill's Convenience Store at 702 W. Yakima Ave. received a $34,000 bonus.

Winners typically come forward within 24 to 48 hours, Coe said, adding that large prizes rarely go unclaimed. The biggest exception was a $6 million jackpot in 1993. More recently, a $1.2 million Lotto jackpot went unclaimed in 2004.

When prizes aren't collected, the money goes into an unclaimed prize fund. By law, that money goes back to players -- such as through second-chance drawings or a Lotto promotion for a trip of a lifetime. One-third of the unclaimed prize fund goes toward economic development in Washington.

Coe said she's concerned that the ticket may have been accidentally discarded, but efforts are still being made to find the winner through the media, Cruisin' Bill's Convenience Store and the Lottery's Web site, she said.

Established in 1982, Washington's Lottery has generated more than $2.4 billion for a variety of state programs, including construction of education facilities, stadium debt reduction and economic development.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.