$70M Lotto Max win would be largest unclaimed Canadian lottery prize ever | 24CA News
If the rightful proprietor of a ticket that gained $70 million in a Lotto Max draw final yr doesn’t come ahead quickly, it would expire and go down as the biggest unclaimed prize in Canadian lottery historical past.
On Tuesday, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) inspired folks to verify their tickets for the June 28, 2022 draw, noting the ticket that gained the jackpot was offered in Toronto’s Scarborough space.
“This yet-to-be-claimed $70 million winning ticket will expire on June 28, 2023, unless the rightful ticket holder comes forward to OLG before then,” the OLG mentioned.
OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti instructed Global News that if the winner doesn’t come ahead quickly, it would change into the biggest unclaimed prize in Canadian lottery historical past, surpassing a $15 million Lotto Max win from an August 2021 draw that was by no means claimed.
In that case, the profitable ticket was purchased in British Columbia.
“We’re hoping not to make history in this case,” Bitonti mentioned.
“Someone out there bought a Lotto Max ticket — put down five, ten, (or) $15 — for a chance to win a $70 million jackpot. And in this case, they did. But no one’s come forward yet. And we’re in the business of paying lottery prizes and that’s what we want to do for the person that legitimately bought this ticket in the hopes of winning a prize.”
Bitonti mentioned it is a “rare occurrence.”
“We do have a lottery prizes that go unclaimed each and every year, but this is the biggest one so far,” he mentioned.
Bitonti mentioned OLG data point out that the $70 million profitable ticket was by no means checked, not on the OLG app, in a retailer, or at a lottery terminal.
He mentioned that leads him to imagine that the ticket was misplaced.
“We’re urging people to check their pockets of pants, of jackets, purses, briefcases, backpacks, the junk drawer in the kitchen, glove compartments of their vehicles, sun visors — wherever a lottery ticket may be stored for safekeeping,” he mentioned.
Even if the ticket was broken, the OLG has a workforce that may work to rebuild tickets, he mentioned.
The OLG has loads of info in relation to the profitable ticket — together with the place precisely it was offered, at what time, and the way a lot the shopper paid for the ticket.
Bitonti mentioned they’re intentionally being imprecise, solely saying that the ticket was purchased someplace in Scarborough, in order that if an individual does come ahead claiming to be the rightful ticket holder, they’ll fill within the gaps.
“If you can answer those questions correctly, then our … investigative forensic team will take over, and they’ll do their due diligence to make sure that you are the legitimate, rightful owner of that ticket,” he mentioned.
Even if the ticket was misplaced, if the OLG can confirm the rightful proprietor of the ticket, the prize will nonetheless be paid out. It has occurred earlier than.
Several years in the past, a Hamilton girl misplaced a Lotto Max ticket price $50 million, having in all probability thrown it out.
The OLG carried out an investigation that included reviewing surveillance video and varied info in regards to the ticket and its buy, he mentioned. After the evaluation and being requested a lot of questions, the girl was then capable of declare the prize with out having the bodily ticket.
In the case of the present unclaimed prize, surveillance video isn’t out there, Bitonti mentioned.
Bitonti mentioned they’ve additionally seen instances of individuals coming in on the final minute to say a prize.
Just a few years in the past, a person from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., gained round $500,000 on a ticket he put in a jacket. The climate bought hotter, nonetheless, and the person solely found the ticket after it bought cooler once more and he wore the jacket.
Since the OLG issued their assertion Tuesday which mentioned that the $70 million has but to be claimed, Bitonti mentioned they’ve been receiving many telephone calls.
“It has been busy and not just for this for this prize claim. We do have a number of other prize claims that are about to expire as well,” he mentioned, although it’s not but clear in the event that they’re any nearer to discovering the winner for the $70 million.
If the rightful proprietor does come ahead shortly after the June 28 deadline, Bitonti mentioned if they’ve a “legitimate reason” for being late, the OLG should still hand out a prize.
He mentioned they’ve completed that earlier than for smaller prizes.
But sooner or later, the OLG has to account for the cash and cant provide it indefinitely, he mentioned.
If the $70 million profitable ticket expires, the cash will used for future bonus video games or promotions.
Bitonti mentioned people can even play the lottery on OLG.ca — that method their ticket can’t be misplaced and in the event that they win, they get an electronic mail.
The OLG mentioned the profitable numbers for the June 28, 2022 Lotto Max draw are 8, 19, 22, 41, 42, 46, 47 Bonus 10.
If somebody believes they purchased the profitable ticket, they had been inspired to contact the OLG at 1-800-387-0098.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
