Lotto Prize: $200,000 Winner Still Missing as Deadline Looms
Kāpiti Coast Ticket Holder Has Days to Claim Fortune
A significant Lotto prize of $200,000 is on the verge of expiring, with the winning ticket holder yet to come forward. The unclaimed ticket, purchased at Coastlands Lotto in Paraparaumu on the Kāpiti Coast, is set to become worthless on August 31, exactly one year after its draw date.
A Race Against Time
The ticket was one of five that shared a $1 million jackpot. Lotto NZ has intensified efforts to locate the winner, acknowledging the urgency as the deadline approaches. Head of corporate communications, Will Hine, stated that the organization is still hopeful the player will emerge before 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.”
—Will Hine, Head of Corporate Communications, Lotto NZ
Potential Gift Ticket
Investigations suggest the ticket might have been a gift, as it was purchased during a Father’s Day promotion last year. Hine speculated that the buyer may have intended it for a father or someone special.
“Perhaps the customer bought it for their father or someone special in their life. 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.”
—Will Hine, Head of Corporate Communications, Lotto NZ
Lotto NZ notes that it’s unusual for such a substantial prize to go unclaimed for this long, as first division winners typically claim their winnings within weeks. The organization has successfully reunited winners with two previous unclaimed $500,000 prizes this year.
Urgent Call to Check Everywhere
Lotto NZ is urging everyone to meticulously check all potential hiding spots for old tickets. This includes drawers, glove compartments, wallets, and forgotten coat pockets.
“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.”
—Will Hine, Head of Corporate Communications, Lotto NZ
If a winning ticket is found, the finder is advised to sign the back immediately and present it for checking either in-store or via the MyLotto app. Prizes that remain unclaimed after the 12-month period are returned to the prize pool for future draws and promotions. In the United States, approximately $2.8 billion in unclaimed lottery prizes went to state governments in 2023, highlighting the significant sums that can go uncollected annually (USA Today, 2023).
