Not again! A Publix shopper has 57,000 reasons to be bummed.
According to a search on Florida Lottery’s list of winners, an unclaimed jackpot worth almost $58,000 expired.
In a 2025 weeknight Fantasy 5 drawing, two winning tickets − both purchased from a Publix grocery store in Florida − won $57,984.41. One winner claimed the pot, the other has been MIA.
Since Florida Lottery rules dictate an expiry date, one lucky Publix shopper lost out on a lot of dough. Keep reading for information about the Florida Lottery jackpots that have expired and a list of times Powerball, Mega Millions and Florida Lottery players (for reasons unknown) left a lot of money on the table.
When did unclaimed Florida Lottery jackpot worth $57,000 expire?
In the Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 evening drawing, two tickets matched all five numbers to win $57,984.41. The winning Fantasy 5 numbers for the Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, evening drawing were 7-10-18-24-28.
The Florida Lottery reported Publix, 8680 Coral Way, Miami, Florida, and Publix, 9100-3 Merrill Road, Jacksonville, Florida, each sold a winning ticket. The lottery organization shows Josefina Arrieta of Miami claimed the nearly $58,000 prize as a one-time lump sum after she bought the winning Fantasy 5 ticket from the Miami Publix.
As of Monday, June 29, 2926, the Jacksonville Publix winner did not come forward, and the Florida Lottery lists “expired” for that Dec. 30, 2025, prize.
How long do you have to cash in a Florida Lottery ticket?
Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.
How many other Fantasy 5 jackpots expired in Florida?
The USA TODAY Network analyzed Florida Lottery’s Fantasy 5 winners and expired jackpots dating back to 2024. As of Monday, June 29, 2026, there have been 17 expired jackpots in Florida, with a majority of the winning Fantasy 5 tickets purchased at a Florida Publix:
Does Publix comment about Florida Lottery winners?
Though Publix is tied to two of the biggest lottery wins ever in U.S. history, the Lakeland-based grocery chain doesn’t brag about it.
Over the years, a significant amount of Florida Lottery money was won through tickets sold at Publix. However, the grocery store chain has a policy not to publicly comment on lottery wins. A notice on its corporate website states: “Publix does not participate in or promote lottery stories. Rather, we offer the lottery as a service to our customers.”
The stores that sold the winning prizes don’t advertise that fact either.
Though there have been signs warning against the use of bicycles, skateboards or inline skates, signs about the store’s pet policy and signs requesting unvaccinated customers wear a mask to curb the spread of COVID-19, there are no signs in Publix stores touting big jackpot wins.
As part of its protocol, after a Powerball, Mega Millions or Florida Lottery drawing, the Florida Lottery is quick to disclose where a winning ticket was purchased and whether the lottery retailer received a bonus commission for selling the ticket. There are several press releases on the lottery’s site about winning tickets purchased at Publix.
Does Walmart sell lottery tickets? Where to buy lottery tickets in Florida
In Florida, most gas stations and some grocery stores sell lottery tickets. It’s harder to find a gas station that doesn’t sell Powerball, Mega Millions, Florida Lottery and scratch-off tickets than it is to find one that does.
Publix also sells lottery tickets and is known for selling many winning tickets. A lesser-known location is Walmart. Whether the Walmart location closest to you sells lottery tickets depends on your state and the store. Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk.
You can use the “Where to Play” search tool on the Florida Lottery website to find a grocery store or gas station near you that sells lottery tickets.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida Lottery ticket from Publix expired. How much money left unclaimed?
Reporting by Jennifer Sangalang and Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jennifer Sangalang and Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
