Hunt for Weipa millionaire lotto ticket buyer

THE owner of a $1.34 million lotto ticket purchased in a Far North newsagency is yet to claim their prize.

Staff at the Weipa News and Traders store were expecting the ticketholder to realise their new-found wealth and come into the store yesterday.

But Golden Casket officials said so far the winner remained a mystery, particularly as it was not registered to a Winners Circle card.

Spokesman Matt Hart said he urged anyone who had purchased a ticket from the store for Saturday’s Gold Lotto draw to check it.

“Our winner could be completely unaware they are now a millionaire,” he said.

“We’re urging all players to check their entries as soon as possible and if you discover you are holding the registered division one winning ticket to contact Golden Casket on 131 868 to begin the process of claiming your prize,” Mr Hart said.

Staff member Melissa Ginn said it was the biggest individual win for the store.

“I really hope it’s one of our regulars,” she said. “It would be wonderful if it’s one of those people who is dedicated to playing their numbers.”

The Weipa winner is the 100th division one winner in Queensland so far this year.

The winning numbers were 25, 44, 14, 8, 16 and 23. The supplementary numbers were 2 and 9.

It is not the only huge prize unclaimed in the Far North with the owner of a $2 million ticket sold at NewsExtra in DFO Cairns almost four years ago yet to be found.