This is what happens if the $1-million Lotto Max winner lets their prize expire
A winning Lotto Max ticket worth $1 million is just days away from expiring and if that happens the winner will forfeit the prize.
One lucky player, who bought the ticket in Toronto, won the Maxmillions prize in the June 15, 2021 Lotto Max draw, but the money was never claimed, the OLG said in a news release issued Wednesday.
The winning Maxmillions numbers for that draw were 01 – 18 – 22 – 31 – 32 – 40 – 43.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The OLG said the winning ticket must match all seven numbers to win the Maxmillions prize.
What happens to the money if no one claims the prize?
The winner has one year from the draw date to claim their prize which means they have exactly two weeks from today to achieve millionaire status.
In an email to CTV News Toronto, the OLG External Communications Director Tony Bitonti said it's uncommon for a winning ticket this valuable to not be spoken for.
If the $1-million ticket holder does not show up before the two-week deadline, Bitonti said the unclaimed money will be returned to players through future bonus games or promotions.
"It is rare for $1 million prize to not be claimed, it’s usually the smaller prize amounts that go unclaimed," Bitonti said.
He said while there are a number of reasons a winning ticket doesn't get redeemed, it’s usually because it’s been misplaced or forgotten.
“Many tickets are forgotten in kitchen drawers or in jacket pockets (especially when the seasons change). For example, you buy your ticket on a particularly cold spring day and put it in a jacket pocket, but then the weather turns warm and the jacket goes into the closet and the ticket is forgotten,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Main takeaways from Saskatchewan's provincial election results
Scott Moe earned his second mandate as premier and his Saskatchewan Party held onto government for a fifth-straight majority, CTV News projected Monday night. But the party did not hold onto all its seats.
Missing B.C. teenager Jodi Henrickson at centre of upcoming documentary
Henrickson was a 17-year-old girl from Squamish who went missing after a house party on Bowen Island, during the then unusually warm summer of 2009.
An expert stands firm on his U.S. election win prediction. Here's what he says happened after
An American presidential historian is maintaining his previous prediction of a Kamala Harris presidency as the U.S. election hits the one-week mark.
Poilievre says it would be 'not fair' for Liberals to replace Trudeau as leader
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre thinks it would be 'not fair' for the Liberals to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau now, as in his view they are 'morally obligated' to keep him.
'I'm ready for an election': Bloc beginning talks to topple Trudeau gov't as ultimatum expires
Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is starting to talk to other opposition parties about bringing down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government.
Albertans overpaid on electricity bills for decades: report
A new report says when the province deregulated electricity generation in 2001, it forced Albertans to pay billions more for their power.
Nova Scotia lifts stop-work order at Halifax Walmart one week after body of teen found in oven
Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour has lifted its stop-work order at a Halifax Walmart more than a week after the body of 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur was discovered in an industrial oven in the store’s bakery.
N.S. teen charged for allegedly making threats to school
A Nova Scotia teen is facing numerous charges related to a complex swatting investigation. On Oct. 25, Nova Scotia RCMP, with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police, arrested a 14-year-old male at his home in Bridgewater, N.S.
Senior Modi cabinet minister linked to India-supported violence in Canada: officials
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison has confirmed a report that Canada is alleging an Indian cabinet minister and close adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered intelligence-gathering operations of Canadians.