The New York Lottery has issued a warning to residents about a phone scam where imposters are masquerading as lottery officials. This fraudulent activity is particularly worrying as it coincides with the soaring Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots, which have reached a staggering $1.3 billion. According to the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), individuals claiming to represent Mega Millions are contacting consumers in multiple states. They’re trying to deceive people by announcing an $18.6 million win and the promise of two new Mercedes-Benz cars, requiring victims to pay taxes and fees upfront to claim their “prizes”.
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Details of the Scam
The NYSGC, the body responsible for supervising the state’s lottery, states that these scammers threaten potential victims with forfeiture of the prizes if they don’t comply with the demand for immediate payment. The gaming commission is clear in its advisory: “Legitimate lotteries don’t reach out to winners.” Players are reminded that authentic lotteries do not necessitate the payment of fees or taxes before releasing winnings and that participation requires purchasing a ticket. Importantly, the commission clarifies that the New York Lottery is only aware of winners once the winning ticket is physically presented for payment. But this isn’t the first time lottery scams have made headlines, especially during jackpot fever.
Heightened Interest as Jackpots Soar
The alert comes at a time when lottery fervor is intensely high—triggered by Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots reaching astronomical figures. Tonight’s Powerball draw features an estimated annuitized jackpot of $567 million, while Mega Millions is set to draw on Friday with a projected $743 million prize. These figures are before deductions for federal and state taxes, of course. Still, gamblers have endured a major streak without a major win—34 Powerball and 36 Mega Millions draws have come and gone without a jackpot winner. Brian O’Dwyer, Chairman of the NYSGC, remarked, “Jackpot fever is back,” emphasizing the opportunities available for New Yorkers this week to dream big.
Approaching Historic Jackpot Records
The ongoing climbs of the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots are edging closer to the historical top 10 richest lottery jackpots the U.S. has ever seen. And some of the top entries include Powerball’s $2.04 billion windfall from November 2022 in California and another Powerball at $1.81 billion in Arkansas last December. Should the current streak continue, these games might again make history. While the NYSGC has been proactive in their warnings, there’s always uncertainty about how effective these advisories are in preventing scams. For now, players are urged to stay vigilant. The next development will unfold soon enough. The Powerball and Mega Millions draws are set to take place tonight and Friday, respectively, and players are advised to verify their winnings through official channels only.
Eri Gaitu leads the news desk at Best in Slot, tracking breaking developments across the gambling world in real time. From exclusive bonus offers and casino launches to licensing updates and regulatory shifts, Eri ensures readers are always first to know about the changes that matter to their gaming experience.
