Powerball surges to $60m as search for 23 mystery winners continues
Ahead of Thursday night’s $60 million Powerball jackpot, lottery officials are urging Aussie players to check their old tickets as 23 division one prizes remain unclaimed.
According to The Lott, the unclaimed division one and major lottery prizes across Australia are collectively worth almost $25 million.
There are nine unclaimed winning tickets each in Queensland and New South Wales, two in the ACT and one each in Victoria and South Australia.
As the winning tickets were not registered to a player card or online account, lottery officials have no way of contacting the mystery winners to share the life-changing news.
Lottery officials urge players to register their tickets
The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said the list of unclaimed prizes is a great reminder for players to register their entries when grabbing a ticket in this week’s $60 million Powerball draw.
“With $60 million on the table, it’s a chance to start the year as a multi-millionaire. I’m sure many Aussies are dreaming about what the rest of 2022 and the rest of their lives might look like with a prize of this magnitude,” said Mr Hart.
Mr Hart said his team will be standing by on Thursday night waiting to reach out to any registered division one winners, so players should make sure they register their tickets.
He also urged players to dig up their old tickets.
“As you’re cleaning up around the home this January, getting ready for the year ahead, keep an eye out for any unchecked lottery tickets. You could be the winner we’re looking for.”
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Mr Hart said the amount of time people had to claim their lottery prizes varies from state to state.
Queensland players have seven years, NSW and ACT residents have six years, Northern Territory residents have three years, South Australians have 12 months, and Tasmanian and Victorian players have only six months to claim their lottery winnings.
“The oldest unclaimed division one win is in Queensland – in June 2015, a ticket purchased in Morayfield won a Saturday Gold Lotto prize worth $1 million,” explained Mr Hart.
One of the most recent unclaimed wins landed in Coober Pedy last month, when a mystery player won a Monday X Lotto prize of $1 million.
The biggest unclaimed lottery win is currently a $4.8 million Set for Life win from April 2021 from an entry bought in Woden in the ACT.
The $60 million Powerball draw 1338, is on Thursday, January 6 and closes at 7.30pm AEST.
If gambling is a problem for you go to Gambling Help Online or call 1800 858 858.
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