Clock is ticking on unclaimed $1 million lottery ticket

ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The holder of a winning New York lottery ticket has until this weekend to claim the year-old $1 million prize, state lottery officials say.

The winning number, 1-6-7-20-29 with a Powerball of 23, was purchased at the Playland Market in Rye on Aug. 25, 2012, CNN reported Friday.

Under New York Gaming Commission rules, winners have a year to redeem a winning ticket.

It may already be too late.

The ticket must be presented at a customer service center during business hours, but its one-year anniversary is this Sunday. Technically, the prize would have had to be claimed by close of business Friday. If the winner shows up Monday, lottery officials aren't sure if the ticket can be honored.

If the ticket was mailed and postmarked by Aug. 25, it would be considered valid.

Many winning tickets go unclaimed because buyers don't notice they won smaller prizes, said Christy Calicchia, a spokesperson for the gaming commission.

In 2002, a $68 million lottery prize was never claimed.

Unclaimed winnings are returned to a pool for future winners.