Imagine this: you've been playing the Lotto, hoping and dreaming of the day you'll strike it rich. Then, one day, your numbers come up – a million-dollar jackpot! But there's a catch. You don't know you've won. The ticket sits forgotten, and the prize goes unclaimed. This isn't a hypothetical scenario; it's precisely what happened to one unlucky Aussie who missed out on a life-changing $1 million.

The unfortunate story unfolded in North Adelaide, where a mystery lottery winner purchased a ticket from a BP in Mawson Lakes on September 27, 2023. Fast forward a year, and the prize hadn't been claimed, passing its expiration date and leaving the winner none the wiser.

South Australia mystery lottery winner loses $1 million by missing the one-year claim deadline. Credit: Shutterstock

The Lott spokeswoman, Anna Hobdell, expressed the heartbreak of the situation, noting that the winner could have been enjoying their newfound wealth had they simply registered their ticket to a player card or online. 'It's likely our mystery winner has been going about their year as normal with no idea they became an overnight millionaire more than a year ago,' she said.

The unclaimed prize serves as a stark reminder of the importance of registering Lotto tickets. Not only does registration ensure you're notified of a win, but it also secures the prize, so you don't have to rely on keeping the ticket safe or remembering to check it.

For the mystery winner, all is not lost – yet. They can still claim the $1 million if they submit their ticket, a prize claim form, and an ex-gratia statutory declaration form with the Lotteries Commission of South Australia. However, this process isn't free; it incurs a $22 fee to cover the necessary searches and administrative costs.

This tale of lost fortune contrasts sharply with the story of a western Sydney mum who won a massive $22 million Powerball prize and immediately shared the news with her colleagues. Her spontaneous celebration and plans to buy a house and travel highlight the joy that comes with claiming a Lotto win.

So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, let this be a lesson to us all. If you're a Lotto player, take the simple step of registering your tickets. It's a small action that could make all the difference between losing out on a fortune and securing your financial future.

And remember, if you're ever lucky enough to win, consider how and with whom you share the news. While it's natural to want to celebrate, privacy can be precious, especially when it comes to a windfall.

Key Takeaways

• A mystery lottery winner in South Australia has forfeited a $ 1 million prize by not claiming it within the one-year deadline.
• The winning ticket was purchased at a BP in Mawson Lakes, North Adelaide, and remained unclaimed past its expiration date.
• Lotto officials highlighted the importance of registering tickets to a player card or online to avoid missing out on winnings.
• The unclaimed money will be forfeited to the Lotteries Commission of South Australia, although the winner could still make a late claim by submitting specific forms and a fee.

Have you ever had a close call with an unclaimed prize, or do you have a system to ensure you never miss a win? Share your stories and tips in the comments below – they might just help a fellow member avoid a million-dollar mistake!

 

[Jo Piper3]

If the winner pays the $22 fee and submits the required documents, he can still be very rich.

 

[novezar]

What a lot of absolute garbage. Who on earth doesn't remember that they have a Lotto or other type of ticket that needs to be checked after a draw. I put them in the category of "Candle Power', not too bloody bright.

No further comment required.

 

[Fat&fancy]

What a lot of absolute garbage. Who on earth doesn't remember that they have a Lotto or other type of ticket that needs to be checked after a draw. I put them in the category of "Candle Power', not too bloody bright.

No further comment required.

I agree!

 

[Cheviegirl]

Yes I think I have said this before. We won $100 & went to claim at Armidale, NSW BUT they only gave us $16 plus a few cents. No amount of arguing with them did I receive our $100 winning. Who can you trust?

 

[magpie1]

Has anyone considered the winner may have passed away before checking his ticket or is very sick in hospital perhaps, there could be many reasons why it hasn't been claimed.....they still have the opportunity to collect the big win so all is not lost yet.

 

[novezar]

Hi magpie1,
Re the 1st part of your posting, that'd be a real damned "Stiff" problem alright. Just hope it doesn't happen to me.

 

[Kevin. A.]

We registered our games and every week we take them into the news agents to check them. We have had a few nice Suprises. However, the big one still evades us. I am the eternal optimist, so while the odds of winning are stacked heavily against us, you have to be in it to win it, and there is no use whining you will never win if you do not take the chance. After all, isn't taking chances what life is all about. As long as you stick to an established limit, then having a flutter on lotto every week is nothing more than a bit of fun, and you never know your luck in a raffle. It is less than the cost of a cup of coffee per week.

 

[Kevin. A.]

Has anyone considered the winner may have passed away before checking his ticket or is very sick in hospital perhaps, there could be many reasons why it hasn't been claimed.....they still have the opportunity to collect the big win so all is not lost yet.

I think the main thing is to ensure people register their games. You can stay anonymous if you wish. However, registering your games ensures the winner can be notified even if they are sick in hospital. It might be the right treatment to ensure a fast recovery.

 

[Kevin. A.]

Yes I think I have said this before. We won $100 & went to claim at Armidale, NSW BUT they only gave us $16 plus a few cents. No amount of arguing with them did I receive our $100 winning. Who can you trust?

Did you contact lotto there is a phone number you can contact them directly. They would have verified your winnings over the phone. If the news agent were trying to scam you by only giving you $16.00 and not $100.00 then you could have lodged a formal complaint with the lotto office. I know winnings up to a certain amount can be paid by the agent and the agent gets paid back by lotto. However, any winning above the set amount (not sure of the amount) are paid out by lotto.