NC Powerball Players Miss Historic $1B Jackpot as Winning Ticket Remains Unclaimed

A massive Powerball jackpot has gone unclaimed. The $1 billion prize from the Saturday, December 13 drawing was not won. No ticket matched all six numbers, leaving the fortune waiting.

This marks the seventh time a Powerball jackpot has hit the billion-dollar threshold. The winning numbers were 12, 29, 30, 33, 61, and Powerball 16. The Power Play multiplier was 2X.

Search Continues for Elusive Winning Ticket Holder

The search is on for the holder of the missing winning ticket. According to Powerball officials, no one came forward with the correct combination. The jackpot will now roll over to the next drawing.

Players in North Carolina and across 44 other participating states are urged to double-check their tickets. Retailers that sold a winning jackpot ticket would receive a substantial bonus. The excitement has now shifted to hopeful checking and speculation.

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are incredibly steep at 1 in 292.2 million. This statistical reality is why jackpots can grow so large over consecutive draws without a winner. It creates these rare, headline-grabbing prize pools.

Understanding the Prize: Annuity vs. Cash Payout

The advertised $1 billion is the annuity value paid over 29 years. The winner also has a cash option. For this drawing, the lump-sum cash value was approximately $461.3 million before taxes.

Choosing between the annuity and the cash is a major decision for any winner. The annuity provides a steady, guaranteed income stream. The cash option offers immediate liquidity but a significantly lower total sum.

Federal and state taxes take a considerable portion of the prize. Experts always advise winners to consult with financial and legal professionals before claiming. This helps with planning for the sudden windfall and its long-term management.

The unclaimed $1 billion Powerball jackpot serves as a stark reminder for all players to check their tickets carefully. Someone may be holding a life-changing slip of paper without even knowing it.

Info at your fingertips

What were the winning Powerball numbers for the $1B drawing?

The winning numbers for the Saturday, December 13 drawing were 12, 29, 30, 33, 61, and Powerball 16. The Power Play multiplier was 2X. No ticket matched all six numbers to win the jackpot.

How long do I have to claim a Powerball prize?

Claim deadlines vary by state where the ticket was purchased. Most states give winners between 180 days and one year from the draw date. You must check the specific rules of your state’s lottery.

What was the cash value of the $1B Powerball jackpot?

The cash option, also called the lump-sum payout, was worth an estimated $461.3 million. This is the amount a winner would receive before federal and state taxes are applied.

Has a Powerball jackpot ever gone unclaimed before?

Yes, large jackpots have gone unclaimed in the past, though it is rare for prizes of this magnitude. Unclaimed prize money is returned to the participating states according to their laws, often funding educational or other state programs.

Where was the winning $1B Powerball ticket sold?

As the jackpot was not won, there is no winning ticket location. If a jackpot-winning ticket had been sold, the retailer would typically be identified publicly and receive a bonus for selling it.

What happens to the unclaimed $1B Powerball jackpot money?

The prize money will roll over and be added to the jackpot for the next drawing. This rollover mechanism is what allows the jackpots to grow so large over time when there is no winner.