$22 million in lottery wins still waiting to be collected by Aussies
As punters across the country grab tickets for Thursday night’s record-breaking $160 million Powerball draw, there are some Aussies who are already millionaire lottery winners. They just don’t know it yet.
The Lott has revealed that it’s still waiting for 25 ticket holders to come forward with more than $22 million in prizes yet to be claimed across the country.
In NSW there are 11 unclaimed major prizes worth more than $9.5 million while in Western Australia three unclaimed prizes total $5.9 million.
In Queensland nine unclaimed prizes total up to $5.5 million and two unclaimed major prizes in Victoria are worth more than $1.2 million.
While the biggest in the pot is a Set for Life division one prize worth $4.8 million.
That ticket was picked up in Canberra with the draw held in April.
As the winning tickets aren’t registered to a player card, lottery officials have no way to get in touch with the mystery winners.
The Lott’s James Eddy is hoping tomorrow night’s extortionate Powerball will encourage some Aussies to check their old tickets.
“We know that up to half of Australian adults will have an entry into this Thursday’s Powerball draw, hoping to win the jackpot,” he said.
“But some Aussies have already won big and their prize is just waiting to be claimed.”
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Mr Eddy is urging all players to have a dig around the house, car or even old shopping bags “for potentially life-changing tickets".
“We’ve had winners come forward in the past having found an old ticket under the fridge, in the back of a drawer or tucked away in the glovebox of their car,” he said.
“It could certainly pay to sweep the premises and search for any entries that may have wandered out of sight and mind.”
Anyone who does discover an old ticket is advised to get it checked in-store or online but the clock is ticking.
Players in Victoria have just 12 months to claim their prize directly from Tatts before going to the Victorian State Revenue Office.
In NSW and the ACT people have six years to cash in their ticket, while in Queensland it’s seven years.
Mr Eddy added that the $22 million in unclaimed prizes is also a good reminder for everyone to register their entries.
“We’ll be ready to dial the number of any division one winners on Thursday evening straight after the draw, but we can only do that if you’ve registered your entry and your details are up to date,” he said.
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