The deadline is fast approaching for three individuals who have secured lottery winnings but have yet to come forward to redeem their prizes.
A total of £2.35 million in lottery prizes remains unclaimed, and if the claims are not made before the cut-off date, the funds will be distributed to charitable organizations.
A lucky participant from Bromley scored £1 million on August 31 after matching five main numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto drawing.
This individual has not yet claimed their prize and has until February 27 to do so.
In nearby Lambeth, another player won £1 million on the EuroMillions on September 3, with a claim deadline of March 2.
Additionally, someone in Birmingham who matched five numbers on the Lotto HotPicks on September 18 has until March 17 to claim their £350,000 prize.
If no claims are received within 180 days (approximately six months) of the drawing date, the prize and any accrued interest will benefit National Lottery initiatives throughout the UK.
Winners are afforded an additional seven days to collect their money in person if they reach out to Allwyn UK before the 180-day claim window closes.
For those who win more than £50,000, it is necessary to claim the funds in person by completing a designated form.
They must also present the winning ticket, alongside identification proving their age and identity.
Many individuals often forget to verify their tickets or misplace them, resulting in unclaimed prize money.
This was evident on April 16 when an individual who won on the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker ticket in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, failed to claim their winnings.
Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at The National Lottery, remarked: ‘Regrettably, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not step forward within the stipulated timeframe and has now unfortunately forfeited this significant sum of money.
‘Nonetheless, the funds will contribute to the £30m raised weekly for National Lottery-supported projects.’
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic in the US, a man was ecstatic to learn he’d won a substantial lottery prize – only to discover he was just one digit away from an even larger jackpot.
Carlos Gutirrez purchased a lottery ticket while he awaited his lunch at Lee’s Sandwiches in Falls Church, Virginia, on October 9, 2023.
Upon learning he’d won a life-changing $1 million (£827,430) – he was stunned to realize he could have claimed the entire $1.55 billion (£1.28 billion) jackpot if he hadn’t altered the Powerball number at the last minute.
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