Somewhere in Austin, there is a tiny printed piece of paper worth a life-changing amount of money, and it is dangerously close to becoming completely worthless.
The Texas Lottery Commission has issued a public warning urging residents to double-check their wallets, gloveboxes, and junk drawers. A Powerball ticket worth a staggering $1 million was purchased in North Austin earlier this year, but with exactly one month left until the expiration date, nobody has stepped forward to claim the cash.
If the winner does not validate their ticket by August 1, 2026, the money will be permanently forfeited back to the state to fund programs authorized by the Texas Legislature. Texas lottery winners have only 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prizes, and that window is closing fast.
The Winning Numbers and Where the Ticket Was Sold
The ticket was sold on February 2, 2026, at the Circle K located at 6107 W. Parmer Lane in North Austin. The buyer perfectly matched all five white ball numbers, 3, 8, 31, 60, and 65, but missed the red Powerball number (4), securing the $1 million second-tier prize rather than the grand jackpot.
Unclaimed $1M Ticket | Quick Facts
| Game | Powerball ($1,000,000 Prize) |
| Purchase Date | February 2, 2026 |
| Location | Circle K, 6107 W. Parmer Ln, Austin, TX |
| Winning Numbers | 3, 8, 31, 60, 65 (Missed Powerball: 4) |
| Deadline | Friday, July 31, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. (in person) |
How to Claim the Prize Before the Deadline
Because August 1 falls on a Saturday, anyone attempting to claim the money in person must arrive at a Texas Lottery claim center by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31. Alternatively, the winner can mail the ticket alongside a completed claim form to the Texas Lottery Commission in Austin, provided the envelope is postmarked on or before the August 1 deadline.
The winner should sign the back of the ticket immediately and store it in a secure location before traveling to a claim center. Claim centers are located in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and other major cities across the state.
Unclaimed Prizes | A Growing Problem in Texas
This is not an isolated incident. More than $330 million in Texas Lottery prizes have gone unclaimed since 2007. Just two years ago, a $2 million ticket sold in Austin was claimed only 12 days before it expired. The Texas Lottery Commission regularly urges players to check their tickets promptly after each drawing, but busy schedules, lost tickets, and simple forgetfulness cause millions in winnings to slip away each year.
The OnyxTimes Local News Desk covers the full range of Austin-area stories, including the permanent closure of the last Hooters location near Austin. But first, go check your pockets.
This article was published on July 1, 2026, and reflects the deadlines and details available at that time. Readers are encouraged to verify current claim center hours and requirements directly with the Texas Lottery Commission.