FOLLOWUP: Lotto jackpot winner still out there – plus, a multimillion-dollar coincidence

The holder of that $2.5 million Lotto ticket sold at Admiral Safeway hasn’t claimed it yet, a spokesperson for Washington’s Lottery told us today. But thanks to a reader tip, we’ve learned of a multimillion-dollar coincidence – this isn’t the first Lotto jackpot ticket sold in West Seattle this summer! The July 5th $3.8 million jackpot was won by a player who bought their ticket at the California/Andover mini-mart. And the market’s owners got a $38,000 because of the big win.

WesternAlumn2020 August 18, 2026 (4:29 pm)

This just makes me want to gamble!! Congrats. I feel like West Seattle is a lucky place to live.

Gay August 18, 2026 (7:03 pm)

We should leave this person alone.

k August 19, 2026 (6:42 am)

Found the winner!

Rhonda August 18, 2026 (8:20 pm)

Just living in West Seattle is a win.

Admiral2009 August 18, 2026 (10:38 pm)

A $2.5 million lottery jackpot is worth $1.25 to 1.5 million as a lump sum payment, before taxes. If taken as an annuity $37,500 the 1st year to $155,000 in year 30, before taxes.

John G. August 22, 2026 (5:32 am)

$2.5 million jackpot means $2.5 million over 30 years.

It’s always smarter to take the lump sum and manage the money yourself over the annuity payments, so taking the lump sum means it drops instantly to $1.25 million as your total.

Then taxes:Immediate federal tax withdrawal on that = $300,000Payment you receive: $950,000

but that’s not the whole tax burden on that money, so you’ll still owe an addition $100,000, which you’ll probably need to set up as quarterly payments, not wait until tax day.

You take home $837,500

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