Someone in Canada could miss out on a life-changing lottery prize if they don’t come forward before the deadline.
It’s been a year since a Canadian lottery player in Ontario purchased the lucky ticket that won a $40-million jackpot. However, it’s likely that they don’t know about their multimillion-dollar prize, as no one has stepped forward to claim their winnings.
The deadline to claim the prize is Wednesday, Oct. 28, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is reminding “the rightful ticket holder to come forward before the prize expires forever.”
Irish Mae Silvestre/Daily Hive
“With only hours remaining, OLG is urging anyone who purchased a Lotto Max ticket in Grey County, or anyone who visited the area around the time of the draw, to check their tickets immediately,” reads the statement.
Grey County encompasses communities such as Owen Sound, Meaford, The Blue Mountains, Flesherton, Markdale, Durham, and Hanover.
“Because Grey County is a popular destination for tourists, cottagers, and day-trippers, there is a possibility that the winning ticket may not belong to a local resident,” OLG states. “Someone visiting the area could have purchased the ticket, tucked it away, and never realized they were holding a $40 million jackpot winner.”
The winning numbers are 06, 14, 17, 19, 26, 43, 45, with bonus number 27. Although OLG has detailed information about the winning ticket, the crown agency said it doesn’t know the identity of the person or group who purchased it.
“As with all OLG prize claims, a review process is conducted to determine the rightful ownership of the ticket,” it states. “A prize of this size approaching its expiry date is exceptionally rare.”
Lottery players are urged to check places they might have stored their tickets, including:
- Jacket and coat pockets
- Wallets, purses, and backpacks
- Computer and travel bags
- Vehicle glove compartments and sun visors
- Kitchen, bedroom, and office drawers
- Cottage, trailer, or seasonal property storage areas
@atlanticlottery/Instagram
According to OLG’s website, customers have exactly a year from the draw date to claim their prize for tickets printed from the lottery terminal. As for prizes won on Instant games, lottery players have until the expiry date printed on the back of the ticket.
So what happens if the winner doesn’t come forward to claim their prize?
Lottery corporations do their best to track down the rightful winners to give them their prize, but in instances where it’s impossible to find the winner, the unclaimed jackpot goes back into the prize pool.
OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told Daily Hive that winners who miss the deadline should have “a really good reason” to claim their prize after a year.
“It’s a case-by-case basis, and we determine if they’re the rightful owners of the tickets,” he said.
He also suggests buying lottery tickets online so winners are instantly notified.
To date, the largest unclaimed lottery prize in Canada is worth $70 million after a lottery player won the jackpot in the Lotto Max draw on June 28, 2022. The ticket was sold in Scarborough.
Check out the largest unclaimed prizes across Canada.
All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, check out these resources.