Sydney Lotto winner makes $100million mistake - as Powerball officials are forced to make shock intervention
- $100million lottery winner still unknown
- Prize was drawn two months ago
- READ MORE: Powerball official makes confession about $100milllion winner
The mystery winner of a $100million Powerball jackpot has yet to claim the life-changing prize two months after the draw.
The winning ticket for Powerball draw 1517 was purchased at Bondi Junction Newsagency and Internet Cafe in Sydney's eastern suburbs, but the winner did not register it to an account, leaving lottery officials with no way to contact them.
Despite public appeals, no one has come forward to claim the June 12 jackpot, which was the third-largest lottery prize in Australian history.
The newsagency's cashier Grace Martino told Daily Mail the winner could have been anyone bar the regulars, who have all been asking about the result.
'People come through all the time. It could be somebody who passed by; it could be someone who's a backpacker; it could be a tourist,' she said.
Ms Martino does not even know when the customer bought the winning ticket, but that would have registered with the lottery.
Now, lottery officials have resorted to matching CCTV footage from inside the store to the registered purchase time.
'We have no idea, they never disclose that. I guess that's a big secret,' Ms Martino said.
The owner of a $100million Powerball ticket has yet to come forward, two months on from the draw (above, the newsagents at which the ticket was purchased)
Cashier Grace Martino said lottery officials had the purchase details and in-store footage to trace the winner
Lottery winners in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have six years from the draw date to claim their lottery prize.
In Queensland, players have seven years.
There is no time limit for winners in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. However, they face administrative fees if they delay collecting their prize for more than 12 months.
On average, successful ticket holders claim their prize ten days after winning.
The Lott's investigation team is working to find the winner.
Information about the person, however, cannot be released unless they consent.
The Bondi Junction Newsagency (above) sees many customers each day, locals and travellers
The Powerball ticketholder has six years to come forward and claim their prize (above, a Powerball ticket at Bondi Beach)
Details of the time and date of the ticket's purchase cannot be released as they are key pieces of information used to verify the winning ticket holder.
'(There are) established guidelines for the responsible management of unclaimed prize money, which include initiatives such as community donations, bonus draws, and player promotions,' a Lott spokesman said.
The store has sold winning tickets in the past, including to a lucky customer who won $1million, but nothing like this giant jackpot.
Ms Martino advised anybody who plays regularly to always register their tickets, not only so they do not risk missing out on a prize, but also so they can still claim their winnings even without proof of their purchase.
But the Lott is not obligated to pay out to the holder of a missing and unregistered ticket.
'By registering your in-store or online lottery entry to The Lott Members Club, not only are we able to contact you straight after the draw if you win big, but your prize is secure,' The Lott said.
The company will only do so if they find 'clear and irrefutable' evidence the claimant purchased the ticket.
If a punter discovers an unregistered winning ticket, nothing technically stops them from claiming the win.
If the winner was a backpacker or tourist, as is possible in a bustling suburb like Bondi Junction, foreign nationals can still claim the prize.
However, their win could be subject to different taxation rules depending on their home country.
They would also either have to claim their ticket while still in the country, or return to make the claim.
