What happens if nobody claims the Mega Millions jackpot?

Winner Of $1.3B Mega Millions Jackpot Still Hasn’t Come Forward It’s been a week since someone in Illinois won the $1.3 billion Mega Millions jackpot — and whoever it was still hasn’t come forward to claim the prize. All lottery officials know is the ticket was sold at a Speedy Cafe Speedway gas station in Des Plaines, says Harold Mays, director of the Illinois Lottery. But they have no idea who bought it, he adds. “For a prize of this magnitude, it’s not unusual for the winner to take a while to claim,” Mays says. “I’m sure they’re going through a range of emotions.” How does it benefit a lottery winner to wait a while before claiming the jackpot?