on september 8, 2003, the largest unclaimed ticket in the lottery's 15-year history expired after the 180-day deadline with no one claiming the ticket. the florida lotto ticket was worth an estimated $53.7 million ($30.1 million cash). note that while florida lotto (and mega money beginning in 2004) jackpot winners have 180 days to claim their prizes, if they want to be paid in lump sum, they must claim within 60 days of the drawing, unlike most us lotteries, which start the clock when the ticket is claimed.