Lottery ticket scanning machines were busier than usual across the North Island Thursday as hopefuls scanned their tickets to see if they had the winning Lotto 649 ticket.
“We’ve had lots of people in with stacks of tickets hoping they’ve got the winning one,” said Amber Lynn, Manager of Supreme Convenience in Courtenay.
“I had a lady come in this morning with about 20 tickets to check.”
The rush is on because the BC Lottery Corporation says there is an unclaimed Lotto 649 ticket worth $1 million.
It was purchased on March 18, 2020, somewhere between Qualicum Beach and Port Hardy. If it’s not claimed by 11:59 p.m. tonight, it will expire.
BCLC does not reveal the exact location of the purchase until the ticket is claimed, however, the corporation notes there are 117 lottery retailers in the area.
“Think back to a year ago, of course, there was a lot going on in terms of the pandemic but if you were in the northern Vancouver Island region, and you did purchase a lottery ticket, please check your wallet, check your car, check your drawers,” said BCLC spokesperson Erica Simpson. “You still have time to claim this prize.”
BCLC says it is not uncommon for prize amounts to go unclaimed but they’re usually a lot smaller than $1 million.
“Certainly it’s very uncommon for a ticket of this value to go unclaimed,” added Simpson.
The winning numbers of the March 18, 2020 draw are 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 36, Bonus 28
If you have the winning ticket call BCLC Customer Support at 1-866-815-0222.
Dean Stoltz
