Somewhere in St. Charles, a $50,000 Powerball ticket is gathering dust, and its owner has just hours left to cash in. A mystery ticket sold at a local convenience store on Sept. 3, 2025 must be claimed by Monday, March 2, 2026, or the entire prize will be forfeited to Missouri public education. The ticket matches the Powerball numbers 3-16-29-61-69 with Powerball 22 and is still listed as unclaimed. Anyone who swung by that station in early September is being urged to dig through pockets, wallets and even the car floorboard before the clock runs out.
Missouri Lottery still waiting on a winner
According to Missouri Lottery, the ticket’s drawing date was Sept. 3, 2025 and its expiration date is March 2, 2026. On the Lottery’s unclaimed-prizes page, the numbers are listed as a $50,000 win, with a reminder that any prize unclaimed 180 days after the drawing is redirected to benefit Missouri public education.
Winning ticket sold at a St. Charles FastLane
Local station 100.9 The Eagle reported that the winning ticket was sold at the FastLane in St. Charles and, in a March 2, 2026 story, urged anyone who bought a Powerball ticket there on Sept. 3 to double-check their stash. The station highlighted the looming deadline and suggested folks look in glove compartments, junk drawers and any other spot where a stray ticket might have been tucked away.
What you would actually pocket after taxes
That $50,000 headline number shrinks once taxes get involved. An online calculator from TaxAct estimates a take-home of roughly $36,000 on a $50,000 prize in Missouri after typical federal withholding and state income tax. The final amount would still depend on the winner’s overall income and filing status.
How to claim
If you think you are holding the winning ticket, the Missouri Lottery advises you to sign the back immediately and then contact the Lottery for details on documentation, regional office locations and mail-in options. Winners claiming in person at a regional office should bring the signed ticket and a valid photo ID. Claim information and contact details are available on the Lottery’s website. If the owner never comes forward, the unclaimed prize money will be used to support state education programs.
