AN unknown lottery player landed a six-figure jackpot prize from a popular game this month.
The clock is ticking for them to come forward and claim the money, which could vanish soon.
Two players won lottery jackpots worth over $150,000 on the same day (stock image)[/caption]
The prizes must be claimed soon or they will be forfeited (stock image)[/caption]
Lottery officials in Florida have issued a warning for the $110,604.59 Fantasy 5 game win, which came from a ticket during a June 19, 2025, drawing, per The News Tribune.
Fantasy 5 is a daily draw game from the Florida Lottery that gives players a chance to win prizes by selecting five numbers between one and 36.
The drawings take place at either midday (1:05 pm ET) or nighttime (11:15 pm ET), all seven days of the week.
During the evening drawing on June 19, the unidentified player’s ticket matched all five numbers of 7, 16, 21, 30, and 36.
Odds of that happening are one in 376,992.
Florida Lottery officials confirmed that the life-changing prize was still unclaimed on Friday, and bought at an Embassy Food Grab & Go convenience store and gas station in Port Richey, about 40 miles northwest of downtown Tampa.
Additionally, the anonymous player wasn’t the only winner on June 19.
During the mid-day drawing, someone else landed a jackpot worth $54,361.91.
It was sold at a Publix in Coral Gables, a neighborhood near downtown Miami.
Gamblers in Florida have 180 days from the date of a drawing to claim their winnings.
That means both players must come forward by December 16, 2025, to claim the cash.
Should they not make it in time, 80% of both of the winnings ($88,483.67 and $43,489.52) will go to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund to benefit public school districts and scholarships.
The remaining 20% ($22,120.91 and $10,872.38) would go back into the prize pool with the Florida Lottery.
Assuming the players make it in time, they must take three steps.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.
STEP BY STEP
First, and most importantly, they must sign the back of their ticket to validate the win.
Secondly, given that the prize amounts in both cases were over $599, they must fill out claim forms and schedule an appointment at a Florida Lottery District Office in-person.
Lastly, they must decide whether or not to take the money through a one-time lump sum distribution or through annuity payments over several years.
The lump sum is the most popular option, as it provides the player with all the cash up front, whether they want to spend, invest, or save it.
TAX IT
There are still significant taxes to consider.
The federal government taxes all lottery wins above $5,000 at a rate of 24%, and Florida is one of the few states that does not have a tax on wins.
That means the evening Fantasy 5 winner would really only walk away with around $84,000.
For the mid-day player, it’d be around $41,300.
These numbers are rough estimates and will vary based on other tax considerations.
Americans should also remain aware of other unclaimed lottery prize pots.
For example, a $1.1 million ticket is about to expire soon in Illinois should the player not step forward.
At least 12 others have yet to identify themselves for a combined prize total of $300 million.
Responsible gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat
