Clock's ticking for Winning Wheel winners to claim prizes

wta050714ablotto03.jpg Geoff and Kim (surnames unknown) from Tinui, Wairarapa, prepare to spin the Winning Wheel on Saturday night Lotto, beside Lotto presenter Jordan Vandermade. WAG 07Jul14 - WA

Six lucky Lotto winners have yet to claim their Winning Wheel prize - with some fast running out of time after the game was scrapped from the Saturday night live draw.

The Winning Wheel, which has been on Kiwi television screens for 10 years, "retired" after its last spin at the weekend, in which Napier great-grandmother Lesley spun and won $500,000.

The game gave ticket winners the chance to pocket between $100,000 to $1 million by spinning the colourful wheel, and aired during the live Saturday night Lotto draw.

"After more than 10 years of sharing life-changing moments with hundreds of lucky Lotto players, we've said a fond farewell to the Winning Wheel," Lotto said on its website.

"The wheel has stopped spinning but the winning continues with more fun ways to win coming soon!"

The live Lotto draw was being given a revamp, a spokeswoman said, which would be unveiled this Saturday on TV One at 8pm.

"Any Lotto players with unclaimed Winning Wheel tickets have up to 12 months from the date of the draw to claim their prize," she said.

"These customers will still be given the chance to spin the wheel and claim their prize money, however, these spins will not be televised as part of the draw."

There were currently six Winning Wheel prizes which had yet to be claimed, she said.

And at least one of those winners should get a move on, as their 12 months is almost up - the oldest outstanding ticket dates back to August last year.

Watch a video of the best Winning Wheel moments here