Ticket bought in Bexley expires after 180-day claim period, despite extensive search for holder
For many people in south-east London, the thought of winning the lottery and becoming an overnight millionaire would be a wonderful dream. For one person, however, that dream is now a nightmare after missing the deadline to claim a jackpot of more than £10m.
National lottery players have 180 days to claim their winnings, but are entitled to nothing after the deadline has passed. Despite an “extensive search”, the national lottery said no valid claim had been made for a jackpot worth £10.6m for a Lotto ticket bought in Bexley on 4 October last year.
The deadline passed last Thursday, leaving Bexley’s would-be millionaire empty-handed. The jackpot will instead be donated to good causes supported by the lottery.
Allwyn, the operator of the national lottery, said it was rare for such a large jackpot not to be claimed. A spokesperson said: “The majority of prizes that would go unclaimed would be the smaller-tier prizes. It’s very unusual for a prize of this size to go unclaimed.”
