Nobody has yet emerged to claim a US lottery fortune won earlier this month.

The Classic Lotto of Ohio had not been scooped since 7 December 2011, creating a record jackpot of $72.3m.

A spokesperson for the Ohio Lottery Commission told GamblingOnlineMagazine.com that big winners often like to confer with lawyers and accountants before claiming their prize, as it can be paid in one lump sum or over thirty years.

All unclaimed prizes are put towards lottery profits which in turn go to the Lottery Profits Education Fund in Ohio.

Brad Allen