Stores where a winning ticket was sold should be able to be named says lawmaker.

When the time ran out for a winning Powerball ticket owner in Minnesota to claim the $1 million prize, someone decided to do something about it.

Up until now the store's identity where the winning ticket was bought is kept secret. In Minnesota and most states, the lottery staff is only allowed to reveal the county where it was sold.

But the actual location is withheld until after the ticket is redeemed by the winner.

Rep. Joe Atkins (front) of Inver Grove Heights wants to change the law.

So Rep. Joe Atkins of Inver Grove Heights wants the law changed so that a winner will get more opportunity to be reminded of the win.

"If you hear that it was purchased at the local gas station where you buy all your lottery tickets, you're immediately going to check your lottery tickets," Rep. Atkins explained.

"If you just simply hear it was bought in Minnesota there's not that prompt, not that strong reminder to check the numbers again."

The story didn't have a good ending for the potential Powerball winner-to-be. Players have one year after the date of any drawing to redeem those tickets and claim their winnings.

In this case the unclaimed prize was from the March 26, 2014 Powerball drawing. And as of 5:00 p.m. Thursday the money was forfeited.

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