Brit Realized She Won GBP 12M Lotto Prize After Clerk Threw Her Ticket in Bin

Kath Main, a British mother of two from South Wales, recently bought a Lotto ticket for the June 6 drawing. When she saw the results of the drawing, she was ecstatic to see that the winning numbers matched hers. However, her mother, who had taken the ticket to be checked at a Londis in Abercynon, was told that it was not a winner before the clerk proceeded to throw it in the bin.

The Winner’s Mother Could Not Claim the Win

Kath is an avid lottery player who has been using the same numbers for some two decades. To top it all off, these are also the same numbers her mother uses, making the two quite certain of the winning combination.

When Kath realized that her Lotto ticket had won big, she called her mother on the phone. Unfortunately, her mother responded that she checked the ticket and that there had been no winners. When Kath insisted that the ticket had been a GBP 12 million one, the mother told her that it was now in the bin.

Kath’s mother had reportedly handed the ticket to be checked, but the machine did not beep. She was promptly told that nothing had come up. The clerk reportedly asked her whether she wanted the Lotto ticket back, to which she responded that she didn’t need it.

Unfortunately, by the time Kath learned of what had transpired, the bins had already been emptied.

Allwyn Will Investigate the Matter

There is some hope for Kath, as she quickly contacted National Lottery operator Allwyn to explain what had happened. She provided the company with proof of purchase, as well as doorbell footage from a nearby hair salon, showing her mother visiting the store. The Londis store did not have a camera because it was undergoing renovation.

Kath asked whether it’s possible that there was a technical error, to which Allwyn responded that this is a slim possibility. The lottery operator added that a more likely reason could be a potential human error.

In any case, Allwyn is now investigating the matter, meaning that Kath could still win. Luckily for her, Allwyn is the only major operator that allows players to claim a prize even if their ticket has been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

However, the investigation can take up to 30 days, forcing Kath to experience a painful period of uncertainty. She noted that she tries not to think about what she would do with the money, because there is still a chance that she won’t get it.