Don't throw out those old Lotto tickets! Desperate search for 23 mystery winners
More than $12 million in prizes are yet to be claimed ahead of Thursday’s $80 million Powerball draw.
There are currently 23 mystery winners across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia worth a total of $12,369,939.43.
Two winning tickets were purchased more than five years ago.
It means anyone performing a spring clean who’s forgotten about their ticket might be a millionaire and not know it.
The Lott spokesperson Bronwyn Spencer said one recent winner claimed their prize after cleaning through piles of paper on their kitchen table which had been sitting untouched for weeks.
“We’ve had past winners come forward after finding an old ticket in the back of a drawer, in the central console of their car and at the bottom of their handbag,” she said.
Can lottery tickets expire?
Lottery tickets and winnings can expire depending on the state they were purchased in.
Queensland has a seven-year claim period. Outside of that, a prize cannot be claimed.
In NSW and the ACT, winners have six years to claim their winnings.
Victoria and Tasmania have six-month periods. After the six months has passed winners need to submit a prize claim form to the State Government.
Winners in the Northern Territory from before and including the draws dated July 30, 2012, need to submit a prize claim form to the State Government too.
Draws after that date need to be claimed within three years or they are no longer available.
South Australian lottery prizes must be claimed within 12 months. After this period they are surrendered to the Lotteries Commission of South Australia.
The winnings can then be reclaimed from The Commission’s Unclaimed Prizes Reserve.
Can lottery winners remain anonymous in Australia?
If you dig up your old ticket from under a stack of magazines and realise you’re a winner you can remain anonymous, unlike in the US.
Oz Lotteries has a number of steps winners can take to protect their identities.
It’s best not to make quick decisions after claiming big winnings - such as who you’re going to tell about your prize. Take time to plan.
Try to keep the news within a tight circle of people you trust.
If you’re concerned about your money, hire a financial adviser. You could also look at establishing a trust.
Unclaimed lottery prizes
Queensland lotteries
Gold Lotto Draw 3315, drawn January 22, 2014, purchased from NewsExtra DFO Cairns. Total prize: $2 million.
Gold Lotto Draw 3539, drawn June 20, 2015, purchased from Nextra Morayfield Village. Total prize: $1 million.
Gold Lotto Draw 3618, drawn December 19, 2016, purchased from Cotton Tree News. Total prize: $1 million.
Gold Lotto Draw 2699, drawn December 31, 2016, purchased from Lutwyche News & Gifts. Total prize: $1,347,826.09.
Gold Lotto Draw 3787, drawn November 4, 2017, purchased from Nextra Capalaba News. Total prize: $369,059.13.
Gold Lotto Draw 3867, drawn August 11, 2018, purchased from Golden Lucky News at Helensvale. Total prize: $671,513.12.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1249, drawn March 15, 2009, purchased from Nextra Wynnum Plaza. Total prize: $200,000.
Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot Draw 10280, drawn April 1, 2019, purchased from NewsExtra Springwood Mall. Total prize: $100,000.
Gold Lotto Draw 3961, drawn July 6, 2019, purchased from Gatton Plaza Newsagency. Total prize: $774,838.34.
Gold Lotto Draw 3967, drawn July 27, 2019, purchased from News Work at Victoria Point. Total prize: $1 million.
NSW lotteries
Lotto Draw 3447, drawn August 2, 2014, purchased from Henry Deane Plaza in Sydney. Total prize: $400,009.97.
Lotto Draw 3891, drawn November 3, 2018, purchased from Southgate Newsagency. Total prize: $441,295.45.
Lotto Draw 3905, drawn December 22, 2018, purchased from Connection Newsagency. Total price: $1,018,499.24.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1235, drawn February 28, 2019, purchased from Top End Katoomba. Total prize: $200,000.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1278, drawn April 15, 2019, purchased from Yangoona Newsagency. Total prize: $200,000.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1299, drawn May 7, 2019, purchased from Westfield Chatswood Newsagency. Total prize: $200,000.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1333, drawn May 31, 2019, purchased from Lambton Nextra. Total prize: $200,000.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1403, drawn July 29, 2019, purchased from Anna Bay Newsagency & Post Office. Total prize: $200,000.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1411, drawn August 2, 2019, purchased from Governor Macquarie Drive Newsagency. Total prize: $200,000.
Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot Draw 10306, drawn August 20, 2019, purchased from Gifts ‘N News at Top Ryde. Total prize: $100,000.
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot Draw 1441, drawn August 26, 2019, purchased from Chatswood Interchange Newsagency. Total prize: $200,000.
Victoria lotteries
TattsLotto Draw 3969, drawn August 3, 2019, purchased from Klemms Authorised Newsagency. Total prize: $446,898.09.
South Australia lotteries
Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot Draw 10303, drawn August 5, 2019, purchased from Kapunda Newsagency. Total prize: $100,000.
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