It’s already been a few days since the latest winning Powerball jackpot ticket was purchased in California, but the winning player may still have to wait months before they can collect their prize.
That’s because there is a strict vetting process in place for winners of the big jackpot, which in this case was $1 billion.
Winners have about a year to claim their prize, and once the vetting process is complete they can choose to get 30 graduated installments or a cash option.
“Claims submitted to Lottery Headquarters for processing are paid by check and mailed from the California State Controller’s Office,” the California Lottery explained in a claim form. “Processing time, once claim is received and verified, is approximately 8 weeks.”
According to Nexstar, it took three months to confirm Edwin Castro had won the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot. The vetting process starts with an automated report detailing where winning tickets were sold, said Carolyn Becker, the California Lottery’s deputy director of public affairs and communications, per the outlet.
“That’s why we know quickly where a winning ticket is sold in California,” Becker said. “So we know the results, if you will, in that regard, before the results are finalized at the national level for Powerball and Mega Millions.”
However, timing for this part of the process can also vary. For example, it took hours for results to be in for the $2.04 billion prize. When reports are in, the California Lottery has information about where the tickets were purchased and how many were purchased together. Details aren’t publicized because they are used in the vetting process.
Lottery staff, including security and law enforcement officials work to determine whether the winning ticket is legitimate or a scam. Winners are asked to corroborate information from the initial report. Security camera footage is also utilized.
“We have a very thorough process internally, at least here in California, to vet big winners,” Becker told Nexstar. “We don’t even call them winners until they’re cleared by that security review.”
She also said “the integrity of the game is taken extraordinarily seriously.”
Indeed, Nexstar said lying about being a lottery winner could result in felony charges.
As for the recent jackpot, Nexstar reported that the winner may have been spotted in downtown Los Angeles Thursday morning.
“A woman wearing a black cap was seen darting from the store, hopping into a dark-colored BMW with tinted windows, and then driving away without speaking to reporters,” said the outlet.
“She came in here and she screamed… she hugged people in the store and then she ran away,” said KTLA 5 News reporter Eric Spillman. “She claims that she has the winning Powerball jackpot ticket.”
As of Friday, California Lottery officials have not yet released the winner’s name, as the vetting process is likely still underway. Eventually, the Lottery is expected to release it.
Nabor Herrera, the owner Las Palmitas Mini Market, where the ticket was sold, is also expected to receive a bonus of $1 million from the California Lottery.
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