Eightfold Lotto Jackpot of Twelve Million Euros in Upper Styria Still Unclaimed

Search in Upper Styria

The Austrian Lotteries are appealing to all participants to check their own tips. Anyone in possession of the relevant slip should keep it and get in touch with the acceptance point or directly with the lottery. Engelhart called for the slip to be carefully compared with the drawn numbers and, in the event of a match, for customer service to be contacted.

A spokesperson for the Lotteries explained that the company does not publicly name the exact point of sale for data protection reasons, but has carried out the geographic narrowing in order to facilitate the search. The aim is to address those persons who placed tips in Upper Styria on the day of the draw and may not yet have checked their bets.

Deadlines and Payout

Legally, the assertion of winnings at the Austrian Lotteries is clearly regulated. Payout requires presentation of the original slip, which must be redeemed within a specified period – as a rule, three years from the draw. If the slip is not presented by the expiry of the deadline, the claim expires without compensation, as set out in the company's terms and conditions.

The eightfold jackpot had not been cracked several times in the preceding weeks, allowing the prize sum to grow to the amount now distributed. In the industry, such a course of events is regarded as a trigger of particular attention because, as the sum rises, so does the number of tips placed at acceptance points. According to Engelhart, the draw on Sunday triggered a nationwide rush on the acceptance points.

Reaction in the Region

In Styria, the case is being followed with regional attention. The residents of Upper Styria – that is, the northern parts of the state around the districts of Bruck-Mürzzuschlag, Leoben and Murtal – are being urged with greater intensity via social media and regional media to check their old betting slips once more. Local radio stations and daily newspapers picked up on the tip from the ORF interview.

The Austrian Lotteries also pointed out that anonymous winnings are in principle possible, but are always paid out only against presentation of the original slip. Publication of personal data occurs only if the winner expressly consents. In most cases, winners come forward after a short time once they have matched the receipt with the drawn numbers.

For the current jackpot, the regular redemption period is running. Should the holder of the slip not come forward within the period, the money will flow back to the game participation after expiry. However, based on the targeted narrowing to Upper Styria, the Lotteries expect that the winner or winners will still come forward.

Meanwhile, the Upper Styria region itself remains the only concrete lead in the search. Engelhart stressed in the ORF conversation that the Lotteries would not disclose the person's identity even if the slip had been submitted at a specific tobacconist. The reference to the region serves solely to inform potential winners.

In closing, the spokesperson pointed out that the chances of getting six correct plus the additional number at the Austrian Lotteries are extremely slim. In its communications, the company regularly points out that gambling should only be undertaken with financial means that are bearable in the event of a loss.