Six Month Delay for $250,000 Christchurch Flatmate Winners

A Christchurch flatmates’ syndicate is today celebrating after checking old Lotto tickets and realising they had won $250,000 back in November 2009.

The flatmates, who share buying Lotto, had a bunch of old tickets sitting in their flat cupboard.

This week one of the flatmates was heading out to buy groceries, when she had a thought that she should take the handful of old tickets to be checked.

“At first I thought we had won $25, but then I saw all the zeros on the end ... it was so exciting and I still can’t really believe it.

“None of us have very healthy bank accounts, so this win has come at such a good time for us.

“We won’t be having mince on the menu tonight at the flat – we can upgrade to a steak dinner,” she said.

Their $250,000 prize was won in the Lotto Wishlist Promotion, which was drawn on 14 November 2009. Their winning Triple Dip ticket was sold at Paper Plus New Brighton in Christchurch.

NZ Lotteries’ Chief Executive Todd McLeay says it is unusual for a prize winner to claim six months after their winning draw.

“Usually we hear from our excited big prize winners within a week or two. However, this is a good reminder to always check your tickets – as every year we have several prizes that expire before they are claimed.

“Also in Canterbury, we are still waiting for a Lotto First Division winner who bought a ticket at Lincoln New World and won $182,536 on 8 May 2010 to come forward and claim their prize,” he said.

Any prizes that are not claimed are transferred to NZ Lotteries’ prize reserve fund, where they are used for future prizes.

ENDS

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