Many people want to be a millionaire. But in a bizarre twist of fortune, the question “who wants to be a millionaire?’” turned into “who is the millionaire?”
On June 19, 2024, a winner of the Lotto Plus Jackpot was announced, and the individual who drew the numbers: 5, 15, 17, 21, 34, and 2 in the power ball, through quick pick, became the lucky winner of just over $14 million.
In a social media post, the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) made a call for the winner of $14,526,638.98 to come forward with the ticket they purchased in Claxton Bay.
However, months later, the money has not yet been claimed.
Nadia Khan, the operator at the lotto booth just outside Bargain Plus Mini Mart in Claxton Bay where the winning ticket was purchased, said it was quite a strange occurrence.
“I’ve never in the past 10 to 15 years seen, or came across a lotto winner who has never claimed their lotto before,” she said.
Khan urged individuals who played the lotto around the time to check their tickets.
She added: “If you purchased tickets from the Monday before, you could check it, it might be the winner. Because a lot of people keep looking at the Wednesday (19 June), but it’s actually tickets that were for the draw itself.”
But what would happen to the $14 million if it remains unclaimed?
Responding to questions from Guardian Media, NLCB said after one year, all money that remains unpaid to the winner should go to the Treasury. However, after three years, the owner cannot claim the winnings except with special approval from the Minister of Finance.
In the Claxton Bay community, residents there who were still dreaming about winning the lotto had already made plans about what they would do with the money should they ever strike gold.
The residents who asked not to be named said they would first donate to charity, then purchase a new house or car. One gentleman said he would invest in his five children, as well as his neighbourhood.