Winning lottery ticket nearly got shuffled into the clutter pile
By Kate Northrop
NORMAN, Okla. — An Oklahoma husband and wife are relieved that they happened to come across a winning Powerball lottery ticket worth $1 million before accidentally tossing it aside for good.
An Oklahoma couple was shaken to their core that the forgotten lottery ticket in their clutter pile had won a $1 million Powerball prize.
On Nov. 22, 2025, a Powerball drawing for a $632.5 million jackpot took place, and although no one won the top prize that evening, one ticket from Oklahoma and one ticket from Georgia each won the game's second-tier prize of $1 million.
But for four months, the ticket purchased at Harps on East Highway 9 in Norman, Oklahoma had gone unnoticed in a couple's clutter pile on the kitchen table — the spot in their household where most miscellaneous mail and paperwork usually landed.
On March 2, the winner's wife was cleaning off the table when she came across the stray ticket and placed it on the side to check later. Later that night, the pair recalled it sitting there and decided to check it together.
The results shocked them into silence.
"We were stunned," the lottery winner identified as Robert said. "We just kept looking at each other."
Their ticket had matched all five white ball numbers in the Nov. 22, 2025 drawing: 28, 32, 36, 51, and 69.
The Noble residents claimed their $1 million Powerball prize with the Oklahoma Lottery, thankful for the opportunities the winnings will provide. They'd rented for years and had already begun looking for a plot of land to establish their permanent home on, and the additional prize money will offer them a faster timeline to make that dream a reality.
"This is one of those stories that reminds us why checking your tickets is so important," Lottery Director of Marketing and Product Development Abby Morgan said in a press release. "You never know when a life-changing prize might be sitting right on your kitchen table."
The next Powerball annuity jackpot estimate for the drawing on Saturday, March 7 currently stands at $35 million.
Powerball is currently offered for sale in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
Powerball lottery results are published within minutes of the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com). The USA Mega website provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States' two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.
So close to the trash can. 'Lucky' for them they checked it.
Never been to OK lotto website. I see they offer Double Play as well.
Yeah, back of my mind saying had you guys played $1 more=$1 million more. But that is water under the bridge. No doubt many of us on LP would be happy as I would to win the $1 million!!
At least they kept the ticket and checked it. Congrats to the lucky couple. Enjoy your newly acquired wealth for years to come.
I treat all my tickets as though they are jackpot winning tickets.
The following day after the draw, I check my ticket.
Congratulations 🎉 to the couple and hope that they get a good plot of land and live happily every after.
Ok, now am ready to win the MM tonight 🙏
* Finding huh? Another great find!
"a Powerball drawing for a $632.5 million jackpot ...
But for four months, the ticket purchased at Harps on East Highway 9 in Norman, Oklahoma had gone unnoticed in a couple's clutter pile on the kitchen table"
Reading between the lines it sounds like they're not regular players and that clutter pile only had that one ticket, or perhaps a very few tickets from a few of the recent big jackpots. I suspect a lot of unclaimed tickets happen that way - somebody who doesn't normally play picks up a ticket and when the jackpot rolls or gets hit someplace a bit far away they manage to forget they bought a ticket. Still, you'd think they'd hear that a $1 million winner was sold where they bought it or close enough to home to make them think about it.
You never hear about a serious, conscientious player losing a ticket. It's always these careless, non chal ant players that the jackpot lands in. What are we doing wrong??
You never hear about serious players losing a ticket because they don't lose their tickets.
The people who find their winning tickets at the last minute get in the news because it's unusual.
Congrats to the winners!!!!
I'm glad they found it in time!
Speaking of finding it in time. I wonder how many tickets do not get cashed because of this.......
Sometimes I think we take it too seriously.
I for one, buy a PB ticket every draw.
Am I trying to hard to win?
Am I trying to force luck on myself?
Some of these players that win rarely play.
I also know that so many win that play religiously.
I don't know what the right answer is on what we are doing wrong, but I will keep on playing as my budget allows me to and who knows, maybe one day I too will win big, only difference is I won't realize it after 4 months, it's going to be more like the next day 🤣🤣🤣
I agree about people taking the lottery way too seriously. Misplacing a lottery ticket has zero to do with the false inflated sense of importance of being a "serious" lottery player.
People have lives and many do not focus or think about winning the lottery 24/7. They play for entertainment purposes only.
At the end of your life, your regret will not be I did not focus on playing the lottery enough. Touch grass and most people will feel better.
I touched that grass and all it did was make me paranoid.
Good question! Wish I knew the answer to that.
Another million saved from the trash. Congratulations