Latest news with #winnings
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Unusual place lucky Aussie found $2.1million Lotto ticket as he comes forward six months after the draw was called six
A Victorian man has come forward to claim his $2.1million lottery prize almost six months later after he found his ticket in a Christmas card from his wife. The Lott officials had been looking for the ticket since the $30million mega draw was called on January 4. The man from Wonthaggi, in the South Gippsland region, was one of the 14 Division One winners. He explained to officials his ticket went unchecked for 'months' as 'life got in the way'. 'My wife always buys a lottery ticket for everyone in the family for Christmas,' he said. 'We'd been away on holiday for a month over summer, and with everything else going on when we got back, I completely forgot about the ticket. 'I only thought the other day that I should check the ticket. I couldn't believe it.' Winning lottery tickets have a 12-month expiry in Victoria. Most Division One tickets are checked within two weeks of the draw, according to The Lott. The winner said he would share the prize with his family. 'Things like this never happen to us,' he said. 'We're going to divide it within the family, share the prize around and help others,' he said. 'It will help many people.' The ticket was purchased at Lucky lotto Wonthaggi Plaza in Wonthaggi. The store owners, Gio and Robyn, said they were excited to have sold the ticket. 'We were so excited to have sold a division one winning entry and make someone's dreams come true. Even better to hear the winner has now discovered their multi-million-dollar prize,' Gio said. 'Before this division one winning entry, we hadn't sold a division one winning entry since 31 January 2022. This is our 5th division one prize sold over an 11-year period.' The winning numbers in TattsLotto draw 4535 on 4 January 2025 were 33, 19, 8, 23, 10 and 31, while the supplementary numbers were 42 and 13. Across Australia, there were 14 Division One winning entries in the draw; six each in Victoria and NSW, and two in Queensland. The Lott's division one winning tally has now reached 192 so far in 2025, including 76 won by Tatts customers.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tournament Anglers Say Their Checks Keep Bouncing. Now They're Suing
Two competitive fishermen who say they still haven't been paid their proper winnings by an Alabama-based tournament organization are now suing. The two are among a much larger group of fishermen who claims that American Bass Anglers is bouncing tournament checks and defrauding its members. ABA's president Morris Sheehan acknowledged the payment issue last week, as reported by OL Friday, and he chalked up the problem to a banking error. At that time, several anglers who had fished an ABA military tournament in the spring had made their complaints public, telling local reporters that their prize checks bounced. Those complaints are still piling up, according to Joe Durham Jr., an attorney who is representing the two plaintiffs in their lawsuit against the ABA. A competitive bass fisherman himself, Durham has fished in multiple ABA tournaments, and he points to what he says is a history of fraud and deception by the organization. He alleges 'there is way more to this' payment issue than just a few recent clerical errors. Durham tells Outdoor Life he's heard from more than 40 anglers who say they've received checks — sometimes multiple checks — from the ABA that bounced, or who haven't been reimbursed by the ABA for the return fees they were charged as a result. Durham says some of these individuals are still waiting to get paid for tournaments they placed in months ago. Although he stopped short of accusing the ABA of embezzling funds, one of the plaintiffs he's representing made a comment on Facebook Tuesday accusing someone at the organization of '[sticking] their hand too deep in the cookie jar.' The ABA's website was recently updated to note that all events will 'now feature all cash payouts.' And Sheehan issued another formal statement Monday expressing his concerns and assuring anglers that 'corrective actions have already been implemented.' (Sheehan has yet to respond to multiple requests for comment from Outdoor Life.) Durham remains skeptical. 'A gentleman called me today who just yesterday [June 4, had] a check [bounce] from the ABA,' he says. 'This was from a recent tournament on Lake Lainier.' As a member of the local tournament community, Durham says he's heard other allegations regarding the ABA and fraud in the past. He says the organization had been on his radar for more than a year when he heard in early May about the checks that bounced after the military tournament. The possibility of veterans and active-duty members getting swindled by a for-profit corporation is what really drew the public's ire, and it's what led two of those veterans, Chad Ardis and Rick Bradley, to sue the organization this week. Ardis (along with his teammate Bud Bowman) finished in first place in the military tournament but says he has still not gotten his share of the $1,900 in winnings. 'These are military gentlemen, and they're both a bit older. And one of them said to me that he wants to prevent this from happening to a young, active-duty soldier in the future,' Durham says. 'These guys might get two weeks of leave in a year, and they take one of their weeks to go practice and fish in a tournament. They finish high enough to get money, and then they don't get paid? And they still haven't been paid.' The two complaints, which accuse the ABA of fraud and breach of contract, were filed Tuesday in Truth County, Georgia. Durham says the tournament organization was served that same day; it now has until July 3 to respond. But with all the additional complaints he's received from other affected anglers, Durham says more court filings will soon follow, and that his firm is actively considering a much larger class-action lawsuit. 'We're talking well over $100,000,' Durham says, referring to the dozens of complaints he's heard from anglers who are still owed money by the ABA. 'There is one client of mine who had a check for roughly $12,000 bounce after a tournament in February, and they sent him a follow-up check that bounced as well. Okay, so they told him, 'Hey, we're going to wire you the money.' And as of today, he still hasn't been paid.' Then in March the ABA held one of its flagship tournaments, the Ray Scott Championship, on Lake Eufala. Durham says that to his knowledge, every check but one bounced. Then came the Military Team Bass Tournament, which was held on Georgia's West Point Lake from April 20 to May 2. 'And the same thing happened,' Durham says. 'Every single check bounced.' In light of all the previous complaints, Durham says the financial fallout from the military tournament is part of a pattern of fraud and deception by the ABA. He doubts that a simple banking issue has dragged on this long. He also claims to have texts and emails in his possession that show a variety of conflicting excuses given to owed anglers by Sheehan and others. 'The important thing here, now, is that ABA is not paying back but about 50 percent of the entry fees they collect. So there really is no excuse,' says Durham, who notes that the organization is a for-profit fishing club that collects dues from its members. 'In the military tournament, they paid back 40 percent of the entry fees they collected … Where's the money?' Read Next: Louisiana Man Arrested After Stuffing 2.5 Pounds of Lead Weights into Bass at Fishing Tourney The only way to answer this question, Durham says, is for the court to put ABA 'into receiver,' where an independent lawyer would investigate and take control of the organization's finances. He says this is one of the requests he plans to file in the courts in the coming weeks as he and his clients explore the possibility of a class-action lawsuit — and as more anglers potentially come forward with complaints of their own. 'We can even fast forward to the National Championship that was just held on Lake Murray,' Durham says, referring to the tournament there from May 3 to May 9. 'None of those competitors have been paid yet. The guy that won was supposed to win a boat. They have not provided his boat, even though he's contacted the ABA … And I have concerns whether he is going to get his boat.'
CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Calgary resident Shelley Runkvist turns Big Spin into $350K prize
On Tuesday, Calgary resident Shelley Runkvist turned a $10,000 winning Big Spin ticket into $350,000. The Big Spin is a $5 instant ticket with a twist: Players can win cash prizes the same way they do with a regular scratch ticket but can also uncover a 'Spin Win' which lets them discover their prize through an animated prize wheel at any Lotto Spot retailer. If the player's Spin Win prize is a 'Big Spin', they get $10,000 plus a chance to spin a wheel that guarantees at least $100,000 and goes up to the highest prize of $500,000. Runkvist bought her winning Big Spin ticket at the Sobeys Country Hills at 200-500 Country Hills Boulevard in Calgary. 'It was the day before Mother's Day on a last-minute stop for groceries, and I was shocked when I saw [the winning ticket],' Runkvist said, in a media release. 'I said, 'I won that -- and a Big Spin?!'' 'I only told my eldest daughter and I've been waiting in anticipation to make sure it's all true!' After spinning and winning $350,000 in front of her family, Runkvist said: 'This will definitely keep me at the lake, enjoying my summers!' The Calgary winner said she had recently been considering giving up her cabin property to save money for retirement and is thrilled to be able to keep enjoying her time out there. 'Money can really help you feel more like you're on 'easy street,'' Runkvist said. 'I just want to use this to live well—and help me be happy!' Big Spin tickets are available at Lotto Spot retailers throughout the province.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Britain's luckiest towns with the most Postcode Lottery winners revealed – does your area make the list?
NEW research has revealed the UK's luckiest places to play the Postcode Lottery – and one northern town is topping the charts with the most wins per postcode district. Preston (PR), in Lancashire, has been named the luckiest area, with an average of 47.64 wins across its 11 postcode districts. 1 The findings come from a study by Casino Deps, which looked at wins dating from January 2011 to June 2025. Warrington (WA), in Cheshire, came second with 38.63 average wins, followed by the seaside town of Blackpool (FY), also in Lancashire, with 37.38. The rest of the top ten includes Nottingham, Leicester, Bolton, Croydon, Motherwell, Stoke-on-Trent, and Blackburn. At the other end of the scale, Kirkwall (KW) in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, was the least lucky area, with just 3.75 wins per postcode district on average. Western Central London (WC) and the Outer Hebrides (HS) also ranked among the lowest. Amanda Wilson, CMO at Casino Deps, said: 'Lancashire sticks out as the luckiest county in the Postcode Lottery, with Preston, Blackpool and Blackburn all in the top ten. "The North West of England seems to be having the most luck overall.' She added: 'Preston is by far the luckiest, with its average number of wins per postcode district over 23% higher than the second-ranking area. "This could simply be down to more people in Preston being signed up to the Postcode Lottery. More sign-ups mean more chances to win.' The Postcode Lottery is popular across the UK, with cash prizes given out daily and thousands raised for good causes. Postcodes are selected at random, but the latest figures suggest some areas may have a winning edge. Inside the dramatic lives of the biggest EuroMillions winners EVER Residents in previously low-ranking regions have still seen surprise wins, including lucky streets where multiple neighbours bagged thousands each, simply by playing. It's one of the few lotteries where you win alongside people on your own doorstep. The community feel is a big part of the appeal. Unlike traditional lotteries, Postcode Lottery prizes are shared among every player in the winning postcode, which means entire neighbourhoods can celebrate together. And it's not the only chance to bag a fortune this week. Friday's EuroMillions draw is offering a huge £109 million jackpot – and Brits are already dreaming of their lucky numbers coming up. In recent years, winners have gone on to lead extraordinary lives. Joe and Jess Thwaite from Gloucester won £184 million in 2022 and now live in a dream home with their children. Frances and Patrick Connolly from Northern Ireland scooped £115 million in 2019. Remember to gamble responsibly. The Postcode Lottery and EuroMillions are forms of gambling, and you must be 18 or over to take part. Please keep spending within your limits. If you need help or advice, support is available at or by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The Postcode Lottery sets spending caps and notes that most players win small prizes. However, every entry helps support a wide range of charities, from children's initiatives to environmental projects. Last year alone, players raised over £100 million for good causes, funding everything from community gardens to mental health services. That means even if your postcode doesn't come up, someone still wins in another way. Within months, they'd given away over half to loved ones and charities, saying they just wanted to 'spread the happiness.' Karen, 42, from Wakefield – which came 20th in the ranking – said she nearly missed her win because she forgot she'd signed up. 'I got the letter and thought it was junk mail,' she said. 'When I opened it and saw I'd won £10,000, I burst into tears. "Two of my neighbours won too, so we had a street party with bunting and bubbles!' Of course, experts always remind players to gamble responsibly.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
$2M Calgary lottery winner ‘couldn't sleep' after his big win
Stephen Churchill won $2 million in the March 15 Western 6-49 draw, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation said Tuesday. (Supplied/WCLC) A Calgary man is dreaming of a cruise and new house now that he's won big in a recent Western 6/49 draw. Stephen Churchill won $2 million in the March 15 draw and only found out about the win just before going to bed one night. 'I realized, 'Oh my gosh, that's really a lot of money!'' he said in a news release. 'I couldn't sleep after that!' After telling his mom about the win, Churchill realized he could buy a house with his winnings, as well as plan a fun vacation. 'I'd like to go on a Caribbean cruise,' he said. 'I'd like to go on a nice big ship because I like to explore them!' This is the second time he's won the lottery; he won $100,000 several years ago and used that money to take his family on a Disney cruise. Churchill bought his winning ticket at the Circle K at 10 Chaparral Drive S.E. in Calgary.
