The lucky player who scooped the over R74 million PowerBall Plus jackpot last Tuesday has revealed what he plans to do with his money. Image: Hermann on Pixabay
The lucky player who scooped the over R74 million PowerBall Plus jackpot last Tuesday has revealed what he plans to do with his money. Image: Hermann on Pixabay
We’re not really in the business of giving advice, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned from following the Lotto, it’s this: If you buy a ticket, cling onto the thing with all your might – because you’ll only ever be this lucky once in your lifetime. Sadly, some poor soul in Gauteng is set to miss out on a mammoth R23 million windfall.
Unclaimed Lotto jackpot in Centurion
The Shell Amberfield petrol station in Rooihuiskraal, Centurion is where the winning ticket was purchased, on 19 September 2018. We also know that it was a quick-pick selection, meaning the choices were automated. But time is now running out for the person who struck it lucky, and they have just a few weeks to claim their millions.
However, it’s likely that – instead of a new house and an early retirement – this anonymous punter could soon live in infamy. Lotto operators Ithuba confirmed this week that R23 million would be “one of the largest unclaimed jackpots in South African history”, based on a single-ticket sale. The player only spent R30 on this venture, too.
Earlier this year, some poor schmuck – who spent R15 on a ticket at a Shoprite Checkers in Parow, Cape Town – failed to claim a R28 million jackpot before the cut-off point of 13 February. This was around the time that the Powerball’s biggest ever jackpot was up for grabs: The winner waited weeks to come forward for his R232 million prize.
What happens when Lotto jackpots are unclaimed in South Africa?
People have exactly 365 days from the date of the draw to claim their winnings. There is no other protocol for those who miss this deadline – if you leave it more than a year, the commission will not recognise your numbers as a winning ticket. So it’s best not to dawdle.
The would-be millionaire in Centurion must now claim their R23 million before Thursday 19 September, or they will end up losing it all. However, there may be a tiny crumb of comfort this person could take from missing out…
Once the deadline has been missed, the money is then withheld by Ithuba. They will then distribute the millions between various charities, ensuring that the huge sum of cash finds a worthy home. The unclaimed jackpot does not get put back into the prize fund and is used solely to benefit the less fortunate.
Why jackpots go unclaimed, and what happens for winners
Some players will put their stakes on once or twice a week, but then only check their numbers every six-to-twelve months. It’s a strange method, but it works for a handful of South Africans. There have been cases of people claiming jackpots “days before” the deadline. Even in these extremely rare cases, success can take its toll.
It’s hard for people to know how the money should be invested wisely, and how a fortune must be rationed so it can last for the rest of one’s life. There’s also the very real possibility of winners alienating themselves from friends and family, as arguments over money – and who should get what – often occur. Therefore, counselling is provided.
