An Australian man is suing New South Wales Lotteries, saying a store clerk threw away his $3.3 million winning ticket more than two decades ago.
David Owen Renshaw said he entered an OzLotto draw in September 1997 by buying a ticket from Greenfield Park and when he returned a week later to have it processed the lotto terminal displayed the words "provisional winner."
Renshaw said the attendant then informed him his ticket wasn't winner and threw it away.
"I believe my ticket was destroyed by an employee of the Granville [newsagent]. I asked him what the words meant — I didn't know what the words meant until 2015," he said.
He argued the employee didn't speak English well and was unable to properly communicate whether he'd presented a winning ticket or not.
"I don't mean to be rude to the man, but he shouldn't have been using that machine," he said.
Renshaw said he was discussing a large jackpot with a friend who suggested "provisional winner" must have meant something on Boxing Day 2015, when they discovered an unclaimed jackpot from the 1997 draw.
"I started writing letters to NSW Lotteries straight away," he said.
NSW Lotteries lawyer Justin Hogan-Doran has denied its machines use the phrase "provisional winner" and stated if the phrase was used it would indicate the amount won was more than $1,000, not necessarily a jackpot.
Hogan-Doran also called for the case to be struck down because the information Renshaw provided didn't match any winning ticket on record.
"He has no record of that ticket, we have no record of that ticket, therefore it cannot be produced. It would be doomed to fail," he said.
Good luck with that one!
It has been almost 21 years later.
Australia has a Justice System to settle this case peacefully.
I remember a store clerk who checked tickets and said they were losers ,then he ripped them and tossed them out . common sense, with a little slight of hand the winning ticket can be switched.
If you want to remain safe use the ticket checker available now, and keep your mouth shut and try not to show any emotions there's no need to hand it to anyone to verify it. That clerk can be a thief and God forbid probably kill you or send someone to do it. there's no difference between the ticket scanner , or the scanner the clerk is using. I don't get why people go back to stores and hand there tickets for verification , that's scary. same with scratch off , to know for yourself use the scanner , also watch out for misprints don't just scan the ticket. Now ticket scanners and apps are available, be wise and know that your life is more valuable then the ticket.
This claim is ridiculous & a stretch. That’s like eating out at a restaurant,ordering a fine steak and leaving bones on your plate, and then complaining to the management that the meal upset your stomach so, you shouldn’t pay.
He may end up paying the lotto commission's legal fees because his suit is frivolous.
And he should.l recall when Avatar the movie came out, despite it not being original material, just about everyone who put pen to paper were suing Cameron for bits & pieces of the movie. They all lost, and one guy who attempted to sue him for a Billion dollars was told to pay the court costs etc etc. It’s one thing to go after Tipton, but quite another to try and be paid out for BS..
I know I am going to win the pb jackpot tonight but someone stole my ticket. I don't recall my numbers or who stole it, but it was the winner for sure.
It will not survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. Matter closed.
What does our Australian LP member think of this?
Wonder if there is a statue of limitations?
His first mistake was not being a registered player although 20 years ago,I'm not aware whether NSW lotteries had that service.
But 20 years coupled with the excitement can blur a person's judgement.And if he didn't put his usual numbers in,and instead went for a quick pick,that could be where he is mistaken.
But overall,it sounds like a someone who simply can't let go of a loss. No matter if you win,lose or draw,there is always the next draw.
The statute of limitations in Australian lottery draws are that you have up to 6 years to claim any prize amount,as stated on the NSW Lottery's website claim form:
"In accordance with the public lotteries regulations 1996,prizes outside the six year claim period cannot be paid"