In a shocking turn of events, Publishers Clearing House (PCH) filed for bankruptcy in April 2025, leaving multiple prize winners without their promised payments. Among those affected is John Wyllie, who won the “forever” prize of $5,000 a week in August 2012. This life-altering win allowed him to retire, relocate to a home near Bellingham, Washington, and support his family financially. However, this year, the expected annual payout of $260,000 failed to arrive, plunging Wyllie into financial uncertainty.
Wyllie expressed his dismay, stating, “Why didn’t somebody give me a heads up? ‘Hey, we’re going out of business?’” His financial situation worsened after losing the only source of his income. Having been out of the workforce for over a decade, he is struggling to find a decent-paying job. Wyllie has resorted to selling personal belongings, including his jet ski and trailer, while fearing that he might lose his home.
Another winner, Tamar Veatch, also faces the fallout from the company’s bankruptcy. In February 2021, PCH awarded her the same $5,000 weekly prize. With annual payments missing this year, she and her husband, Matthew Veatch, reached out to the company, only to be told payments would shift to a quarterly schedule. Soon after, PCH filed for bankruptcy. “It’s unfortunate there was no warning,” Matthew Veatch remarked, highlighting the trust they had placed in the company.
The Veatch family, both disabled Army veterans, must now readjust their budget significantly. Relying on disability payments from Veterans Affairs, they can barely cover their bills, let alone maintain their previous lifestyle, which included family travels and helping friends in need. “We were fine before,” Tamar Veatch said, reflecting on the changes brought about by the lost income.
Bankruptcy records reveal that PCH has at least ten winners owed a total of over $2 million. Law professor Andrea Coles-Bjerre from the University of Oregon explained that these winners are categorized as unsecured creditors in the bankruptcy proceedings, which typically results in little to no recovery of funds. “There’s just not enough money to go around to pay everyone,” Coles-Bjerre stated, making it unlikely that the past winners will receive their prize money.
Some winners managed to receive payments before the bankruptcy. Ricky Williams, who won in August 2019, opted for a lump sum of over $3 million, a decision he now considers advantageous. “If I’d been 20 years younger, I would have taken the payments,” he noted, reflecting on his fortunate choice.
In July, ARB Interactive acquired Publishers Clearing House out of bankruptcy. A spokesperson confirmed that the company will continue to operate contests under the PCH name. They acknowledged the concerns of unpaid winners and emphasized their commitment to ensuring future winners can participate with confidence. However, they clarified that only prizes awarded after the acquisition would be paid.
The bankruptcy raises serious questions about how a long-standing institution like Publishers Clearing House could falter. Former executive Darrell Lester emphasized the importance of paying winners, recalling how the company used to secure funds for prizes in advance. “You can’t be a sweepstakes company and not pay your winners,” Lester stated. He noted a significant shift in company practices over the years, which may have contributed to the current predicament.
In April 2025, the Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement requiring PCH to pay $18.5 million to nearly 282,000 consumers for misleading claims about their sweepstakes. The commission stated that the company had misled individuals into believing they needed to make purchases to enter contests or increase their chances of winning.
For John Wyllie, the dream of leaving a financial legacy to his children has turned into a nightmare. He had envisioned his prize continuing to provide for his son after his passing. “I was proud of the fact I left my children something,” Wyllie lamented. Now, he grapples with the disappointment of his lost income and shattered promises, questioning how he will manage in the future.
