Hundreds Come Forward to Claim £33 Million Lotto Win
Last Updated: Wednesday 23rd September 2020, 14:42
Millions of Britons will be keeping their fingers crossed that their six numbers come up in tonight’s £16.6 million Lotto draw, allowing them instant access to a VIP lifestyle that includes turning left when entering planes, lazing on sunny beaches and never having to worry about how they will pay the bills again. However, those who buy physical tickets will want to take extra care of them to avoid the situation now facing a woman in Worcester who thinks she may have put an entry worth £33 million through the wash.
Susanne Hinte of Worcester is one of hundreds of prospective claimants to contact lottery officials, hoping to receive half of Saturday 9th January’s record-breaking £66 million Lotto jackpot. David and Carol Martin of Hawick in the Scottish Borders snapped their share up almost instantly and now Hinte says she has a ticket bearing the correct numbers for the other half, but with the serial number, barcode and draw date missing after she accidentally left it in the pocket of a pair of jeans that went through the laundry.
After it was revealed the winning ticket had been purchased in the West Midlands town, the 48-year-old grandmother of four took her slip to a local newsagent, where shopkeeper Natu Patel helped her make her claim. Hinte and the many others who think they may be due that £33 million payout will have to provide details of where and when they bought the ticket, how many lines they played and anything else that could help them prove their entitlement to the fortune.
Under National Lottery rules, players have 30 days from the date of the draw to contact lottery bosses and inform them if they think they bought a winning ticket that has been damaged, lost or stolen. The lottery can investigate the issue at their discretion and may pay out the prize once the usual 180-day claim period for prizes has expired if they feel there is enough supporting evidence to do so. See the Lost Lottery Tickets page for contact details.
For a shot at tonight’s £16.6 million fortune, you can buy Lotto tickets online or from authorised retailers, but make sure you find the most secure biscuit tin in your house in which to stow it or you could face an agonising six-month wait to boost your bank account!