Texas Lottery Winner Claims $78 Million Jackpot Just Before Deadline

If you were holding onto a winning lottery ticket worth millions, how long would it take you to claim your money? Most lottery officials suggest that anyone winning mammoth jackpots should consult with a financial advisor or attorney to plan the best way to claim and manage their newfound wealth. But could you wait nearly 6 months? Could you wait until there is less than a week left before the winning ticket expires?

About a month ago, the Texas Lottery issued a news release warning that the purchaser of the winning $78 million ticket, the 6th-largest in Lotto Texas history, was within a month of the ticket becoming worthless. Finally, we have a winner. Jua-Ri Trust Agreement Trident Trust Company Inc., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, claimed the huge payout for the drawing held on November 15, 2025. The cash value option was selected at the time of purchase, and the claimant received $43,757,223.10 before taxes.

The winning ticket with player-selected numbers matched all six of the numbers drawn (7-17-23-28-39-48). The ticket was purchased at Gordon’s Bait & Tackle, located at 7066 Padre Island Highway, in Brownsville. The prize was claimed on May 8, 2026 — six days before the winning ticket was due to expire. Under Lottery rules, a ticket holder forfeits any claim to a prize for a draw game after the expiration of the 180th day following the draw date. For the November 15, 2025, Lotto Texas drawing, the claim deadline is May 14.

Although the identity of the trust has been made public, the name of the individual who purchased the winning ticket has not, and probably never will. So, whether the winner is from Texas, South Dakota, or somewhere else may remain a mystery.