A $200,000 Lotto prize is soon set to expire – with the ticket holder still not having claimed their winnings.
The ticket was purchased at Coastlands Lotto in Paraparaumu on the Kāpiti Coast. It is set to expire on August 31 – one year from its draw date.
It was one of five tickets to share a $1 million jackpot.
Read more: What happens to Lotto’s unclaimed prizes?
Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will Hine said extensive efforts have been made to locate the player, and will continue until they are found or the ticket expires.
“We started our search late last year, and we’re not quite giving up yet.
“We’re still hopeful that the player will come forward and we can reunite them with their prize in time, but the ticket expiry date is looming.”
The ticket may have been given away as a gift – as it was purchased during a Father’s Day promotion last year.
“Perhaps the customer bought it for their father or someone special in their life,” said Hine.
“Maybe that rings a bell for someone who got given a ticket, gave away a ticket, or even just bought themselves a Triple Dip about that time last year.”
Lotto NZ said it is rare for such a large prize to remain unclaimed after so long, as first division winners usually claim their prizes within the first couple of weeks.
“We’ve had a good run this year finding winners of two unclaimed prizes of $500,000 in Pāpāmoa and Auckland. It’d be great to get closure on this one as well.
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“We’re urging everyone to check for old tickets – look in drawers, glove boxes, wallets, and even the pockets of the coats you’ve not worn for a while.
“Look everywhere you would put your tickets – and also everywhere you don’t think they would be. Do it now – don’t leave it until the last minute, because once the 12 months is up, the prize cannot be claimed.”
If a player finds the winning ticket, Lotto NZ said the person should write their name on the back of it and check it as soon as possible either in store on via the MyLotto app.
Winners have 12 months from the draw date to claim their prize. Expired prizes go back into the prize pool for future draws and promotions.
