Kansas woman has big prize taken away after it was awarded

Oct 16, 2012, 3:43 pm (39 comments)

Kansas Lottery

PRATT, Kan. — A Pratt, Kansas, woman was thrilled when she won a NASCAR prize package for this weekend. That feeling soon turned to disappointment when the Kansas Lottery took the prize back.

"I'm sure dreams do come true for some, but not for me," said Pratt resident Leisa Mauch.

Mauch's dream in this case was to get to the Kansas Speedway.

"Kyle Busch, Kyle Busch is my guy!"

For a few days, she thought she had the winning ticket. The Kansas Lottery sent her a letter and it said:

"Congratulations from the Kansas Lottery! You are the winner of a racing weekend for two."

The package included hotel, transportation and spending money for the racing weekend. About 4 days later, a Kansas lottery representative called back after she sent in her claim form with the ticket to tell her she was disqualified.

"Her entry had to be disqualified because instead of sending us a non-winning ticket as we have to have in a second chance drawing she sent us a winning ticket," said Kansas Lottery public affairs director Sally Lunsford.

Mauch tells us she filled out an online form with the numbers of multiple Nascar scratch-offs. Now she wants to know why they didn't find out it was a disqualified ticket before sending out the prize letter.

"If it's error on my side then yeah I deserve it, but I didn't deserve to have that letter sent to me and the e-mail. It really should have been found before it was sent to me or anybody," said Mauch.

We asked the Kansas Lottery why they didn't run the ticket number to disqualify her beforehand.

"We had no way of knowing at that time whether she had a winning or non-winning ticket until we had the actual ticket in hand," said Lunsford.

The Kansas Lottery requested a number located with a barcode on the back of the ticket. That number doesn't reveal whether or not the ticket is a winner.

"We're taking steps next year with our computer setup that this won't happen. That there will be a way to enter other numbers," said Lunsford.

They'll request an additional number already located under the scratch off that does reveal that information in future. For Mauch, the damage is done.

"Don't invite friends to something big like this unless you have it in hand because it's hard to tell them "Hey can't take ya!" said Mauch.

The Kansas Lottery offered Mauch 2 tickets to the Kansas Speedway. Mauch says without the lodging and extra spending money she can't afford to go. Another man, Gary Ralston, told eyewitness news the exact same thing happened to him on the same contest. The Kansas Lottery confirmed it.

"To my knowledge it's never happened before so it is unfortunate, but a fairly rare occurance," said Lunsford.

KWCH

Comments

mcginnin56

That was a real slap in the face from the Kansas Lottery. regardless of how they explained it away.

To be sent a confirmation letter congratulating you on your prize, is not only misleading but cruel.

They should have made good on the offer, what are we talking here a few hundred bucks? Not to mention she was a huge NASCAR fan.

This puts a black eye on both their reputation and competence. Shame on them for not doing the right thing!  No No

Scott311

Scared Not Cool Kansas Lottery! No Nod

luckyshoes's avatarluckyshoes

Quote: Originally posted by mcginnin56 on Oct 16, 2012

That was a real slap in the face from the Kansas Lottery. regardless of how they explained it away.

To be sent a confirmation letter congratulating you on your prize, is not only misleading but cruel.

They should have made good on the offer, what are we talking here a few hundred bucks? Not to mention she was a huge NASCAR fan.

This puts a black eye on both their reputation and competence. Shame on them for not doing the right thing!  No No

AGREED

HoLeeKau's avatarHoLeeKau

Oh snap!

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by HoLeeKau on Oct 16, 2012

Oh snap!

crackle, pop!

 

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Bad PR for the Kansas Lottery.

They look like a bunch of schmucks.

It was as much their fault as it was hers, they should honor the win and award the prize and fix it so it doesn't happen again.

Or forever remain Schmucks.

Ronnie316

Its very obvious that it was an error on your part Mauch.......

You lose a second time...... Congratulations.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Some people are so use to doing things half a** and not following instructions that they think they should be rewarded for making the effort.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Oct 16, 2012

Some people are so use to doing things half a** and not following instructions that they think they should be rewarded for making the effort.

Yeah, get pulled over for speeding and get a gift certificate to Olive Garden instead of a ticket.

psykomo's avatarpsykomo

Quote: Originally posted by mcginnin56 on Oct 16, 2012

That was a real slap in the face from the Kansas Lottery. regardless of how they explained it away.

To be sent a confirmation letter congratulating you on your prize, is not only misleading but cruel.

They should have made good on the offer, what are we talking here a few hundred bucks? Not to mention she was a huge NASCAR fan.

This puts a black eye on both their reputation and competence. Shame on them for not doing the right thing!  No No

I Agree! Wlth MG on this WON:

         This is what happens when "YOU" let a bueaucrat "GIT" in UR draw.....er'$$$ Thud

           

                                                      Lover Drum Lover

Ronnie316

I Agree!    My zipper is sealed.............

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Oct 16, 2012

Yeah, get pulled over for speeding and get a gift certificate to Olive Garden instead of a ticket.

 I was pulled over for speeding last month. My story was so convincing, the nice officer offered me a gift certificate to the Outback Steakhouse!   Smile

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Oct 16, 2012

I Agree!    My zipper is sealed.............

Mine is buttoned.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Oct 16, 2012

Some people are so use to doing things half a** and not following instructions that they think they should be rewarded for making the effort.

That would apply to the Kansas Lottery as well as the woman.

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