Lottery Winner Claims Scrutinized Amidst PR Agency Controversy
Questions are swirling around the authenticity of several lottery winners featured in news stories. Two PR firms, working on behalf of a casino website, provided these stories. Now, a media outlet has received threats for even hinting at doubts about the claims.
Threats and Warnings
The PR agency, Signal the News, warned a media outlet against publishing screenshots from stories it produced. They threatened legal action, including notifying infrastructure providers. The agency claimed such publication would amplify liability.
Dubious Winners
Several stories from April spotlighted alleged lottery winners who had lost their tickets. One story featured Mark and Laura Hayes from Scotland, purportedly devastated after their child discarded a winning ticket. Another spotlighted Gareth Thomas from Cardiff, whose dog supposedly ate a winning scratchcard. A third story involved Liam Carter from Aberdeen.
The stories were published in numerous outlets, with the gambling site PlayCasino offering advice in each one. The articles included links, which are beneficial for SEO purposes.
Claiming the Winnings
It was later indicated that the winners could still claim their prizes. However, when attempts were made to contact Mark and Laura Hayes, no response was received. Likewise, the other reported winners seem to have little to no online presence.
Missing Links and Unanswered Questions
Signal the News stated that all case studies were “verified.” When asked why one alleged winner had not replied, the agency did not respond. The agency then issued threats around the use of their images.
According to the National Lottery’s guidelines, one can claim a lost, stolen, or destroyed ticket within 30 days. Claimants must supply details, like where and when the ticket was purchased.
The PR agency, Signal the News, claims the case studies are authentic, but cannot contact them now. They cited GDPR and their own policies for deleting any information after 30 days. However, the firm has no way to prove that the individuals are genuine.
Expert Opinion
In a similar case, a widely quoted psychologist, Barbara Santini, does not appear to be a real person.
Approximately 24% of adults in the United States play the lottery (Statista, 2024).
PlayCasino claimed they did not produce these case studies, asserting that Signal the News handled it. The SEO agency Carbon Spark said it had no role in the interviews or the case studies. Signal the News said they created and sent the case studies but had no records.
