OLG Tracks Down $50 Million Lotto Max Winner
The one year deadline to collect a $50 million Lotto Max prize passed earlier this week. The person who purchased the ticket simply did not come forward to claim this huge lottery prize. The OLG has been encouraging those who buy Lotto Max tickets to search for it and for the winner to come forward and collect the prize money. After the deadline passed, the OLG had to make a decision of what to do with the prize money. In an incredible move, the OLG tracked down the $50 million Lotto Max winner.
Kathryn Jones Wins $50 Million Lotto Max Without a Ticket
Kathryn Jones, a 55-year-old living in Hamilton, Ont., was tracked down by the OLG, and awarded the lottery winnings even though she no longer had her ticket. It seems that Jones lost her ticket soon after buying it. She did search for it, but could not find it anywhere in her home. The ticket had been purchased in Cambridge.
In order to identify the winner of the Lotto Max ticket, the OLG carried out an official investigation that took some months. The company looked into credit card transactions that Jones had made at the Shoppers Drug Mart, where the winning ticket was purchased. However, this would not have been proof enough on its own. Luckily for Jones, there was also surveillance footage that had been available, and this helped to identify her as the woman who purchased the winning ticket. She was the only purchaser of a $16 lottery ticket at the Shoppers Drug Mart that day.
Rod Phillips, the Chief Executive Officer and President of OLG, said: "The case of this outstanding $50 million Lotto Max jackpot is one of the most unique in OLG's history. I am pleased that we are one step closer to awarding this multi-million dollar prize."
Lotto Max Winner Feels Struck By Lightning
Kathryn Jones has found herself in a particularly strange position. She said: "As you can imagine this has been a very weird and wonderful journey. I feel almost as though I have been struck by lighting twice because first to win is pretty incredible, but then to lose a ticket and then to have OLG find me and take the initiative to actually contact me is also pretty incredible."
At this time, Jones has no idea how she will spend the money, and is still trying to absorb the fact that she has just won the lottery for a huge amount of money. Jones, an engineer, describes herself as a random lottery player, and has only won $20 through gaming in the past.
Although the OLG is positive that Jones is the winner, as per policy, the prize will be held for another 30 days in case another winner comes forward.
