Bay's $25k winning Lotto ticket claimed but $10k win still outstanding

Raj Kumar at Springfield Superette & Lotto says most of his customers are diligent at checking their tickets, as a $10,000 Rotorua prize remains unclaimed. Photo/file A_150416sp8.JPG

Bay of Plenty's $25,000 winning Lotto ticket has now been claimed but time is running out for the owner of an outstanding $10,000 win.

Up until 1pm Wednesday, the ticket, sold at Paper Plus Waihi & Toyworld earlier this month, was one of two outstanding first division and promotional winning tickets in the region. Now, just a $10,000 winning ticket sold in Rotorua remains.

Paper Plus owner Virginia Laing said she was not surprised it had taken some time before the ticket was claimed.

"If they are local, the news gets around pretty quickly. If I bought a ticket here and won, I don't think I would claim it here."

Meanwhile, time is running out for the owner of Rotorua's unclaimed ticket, which was sold at Selwyn Heights Four Square as part of Lotto's 2017 Christmas promotion. The ticket will expire in December.

Selwyn Heights Four Square owner Amish Patel was not surprised.

"A few [customers] check their tickets after two to three months. Sometimes, they're in a big file, and it takes me 10 to 15 minutes to check them all. Some tickets are expired, but they don't seem to worry."

Others though, whether they win small or big, are ecstatic.

"Some people think that winning never happens, and then it happens like that, and even if it's $50 or $100, they are jumping up and down they are so happy," Patel said.

All Lotto tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of the draw for which they were purchased. Any prizes left unclaimed after this date are returned to the prize pool for use in future prizes and promotions.

Raj Kumar at Springfield Superette & Lotto in Rotorua said most of his customers were diligent at checking their tickets. So much so, they often check them three times.

Lotto spokeswoman Kirsten Robinson said while the majority of Lotto winners were quick to claim their winnings, it was possible the winning ticket holder had no idea they have won.

"Lotto NZ encourages anyone who has bought a ticket from either of these stores to do a bit of spring clean — clear those wallets, clean out your kitchen drawers and rummage through the glovebox," she said.

"You never know, that little yellow piece of paper tucked away somewhere special, could be worth thousands."