A life-changing £1 million prize from the UK National Lottery has officially been lost after the ticket holder failed to come forward within the 180-day deadline.
The winning ticket was purchased in the City of Westminster for the draw held on Tuesday, 4 July 2023. Despite a widespread public appeal by lottery operator Camelot, the rightful winner never stepped forward to claim their fortune.
The 180-day claim period expired at midnight on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, marking a disappointing end to the search for the millionaire-to-be.
Where Does the Unclaimed Money Go?
With the deadline now passed, the £1 million prize will not go to waste. A Camelot spokesperson confirmed that the funds will be redirected to support National Lottery Projects across the United Kingdom. These projects fund a wide array of community, arts, and heritage initiatives, meaning the money will still benefit the public.
A Rare but Recurring Event
While it seems almost unbelievable, unclaimed prizes are not as rare as one might think. Camelot's Andy Carter, Senior Winners' Advisor, emphasised the importance of checking tickets promptly.
"We tried desperately hard to find the ticket-holder and it’s heartbreaking that they have missed out," he stated. "This is a truly life-changing amount of money and the ticket-holder could be living right here in Westminster, completely unaware."
The company urges all players to double-check their old tickets immediately, as another £1 million prize from a Lotto draw on 21 September 2023 is set to expire on 19 March 2024. That ticket was bought in the Aylesbury Vale area.
