Lottery ticket worth $78m in Texas finally claimed by South Dakota trust

• A lottery ticket in Texas worth $78m was claimed six days before the 180-day expiration date
• The money was won by a trust in South Dakota, which finally contacted the lottery on May 8
• The trust has opted for the lump sum payment worth $43,757,223.10 before applicable tax

The Texas Lottery ticket worth $78,000,000 that was set to expire was finally claimed. A trust out of South Dakota has stepped forward to produce the ticket and scoop the prize.

Texas Lottery ticket worth $78m claimed six days before cut-off

The Texas Lottery shared the news, naming the entity that has collected the multi-million dollar prize as one Jua-Ri Trust Agreement Trident Trust Company Inc, which has opted for the lump sum amount for a total of $43,757,223.10 before paying applicable tax.

The prize was scooped only six days before the prize was set to expire, with the winners coming forward on May 8. They would have forfeited their winnings by May 14 had they not chosen to do so.

There are 180 days for winners to step forward and claim a prize in Texas, which is why many people were speculating that the ticket was forgotten and the winner(s) were none the wiser.

There was much speculation regarding the fate of the ticket, with most big-time winners usually acting quickly and not waiting until near the end. The prize was originally won on November 15, 2026, with the numbers 7, 17, 23, 28,39 and 48, and the ticket itself was sold at Gordon’s Bait &Tackle.

The lottery had issues with courier services, but legal entities may claim prizes

The Texas Lottery has had an issue with some lottery purchases in the past - including the use of lottery apps, as overseas syndicates have been able to win multi-million dollar prizes and enrage local politicians.

However, the lottery does still allow legal entities, such as corporations, partnerships, and trusts, to claim lottery payouts. In events where the money is unclaimed by the original winners, the sum is forfeited and plowed into various state programs.

This is not the first time a huge prize like that has dropped in Texas, with the Seven Bridges Revocable Trust of Fredericksburg stepping forward in October 2025 to claim its half of the $1.8bn Powerball jackpot.

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