A mystery millionaire is being urged to claim their life-changing prize as the deadline to collect a $1 million lottery windfall looms.
The unclaimed prize dates back to a draw nearly a year ago. An individual who purchased a ticket in Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, won this prize. There are less than two weeks left before the prize is forfeited. Lottery officials are urgently appealing for the winner to come forward.
The winning entry was one of two division-one tickets drawn in the X Lotto on September 27, 2023. Most winners celebrate their good fortune within days. However, this individual seems to have no idea that they have been sitting on a million-dollar fortune for almost a year. The unregistered ticket was purchased at a BP service station along Salisbury Highway in Mawson Lakes. Unfortunately, the person did not attach any contact details attached and lottery organisers are unable to reach the winner directly.
Lottery prizes must be claimed within 12 months of the draw in South Australia. Any unclaimed money is forfeited to the Lotteries Commission after that period. Lottery officials are urging residents and visitors of Mawson Lakes to check old tickets they may have forgotten about as the deadline approaches quickly.
It is not uncommon for winners to be unaware of their good fortune as busy lives and misplaced tickets can easily lead to people missing out on life-changing prizes.
Spokespersons from the lottery giant emphasised the importance of checking every nook and cranny – from wallets and handbags to gloveboxes. The million-dollar ticket could be sitting in someone’s possession, completely overlooked.
Most winners register their tickets to let the lottery organisers contact them directly. Unfortunately, this ticket was unregistered. This means the lottery officials are left waiting for the winner to come forward on their own. The organisers have expressed hope that the winner will realise their good fortune in time to claim their prize.
If the prize remains unclaimed after the deadline, the outcome will be bittersweet. The uncollected money will be redirected to the Lotteries Commission. The commission may use it for charitable or community projects. While community projects or charitable causes are good recipients for such a sum, it will mean the individual who rightfully won the $1 million will miss out on their opportunity.
The situation is an important reminder for all lottery players to register their tickets. Registering ensures players can be contacted in the event of a win. Nobody should miss the opportunity of a lifetime with a sum that can turn their lives around.
The clock ticking for this winner, and anyone who purchased an X Lotto ticket in Mawson Lakes around September 2023 must double-check their pockets and drawers. It would be a shame for the winner to miss out on their fortune after winning money that can completely change their lives.
For now, the mystery remains unsolved, but the hope is that the lucky individual will realise their good fortune before it’s too late. Could it be you?