Woman who lost €820,000 winning lottery ticket while in hospital seeks prohibitory injunction

‘This is a matter of literally life and death, and not one of simple monetary gain,’ says lawyer

A woman who claims to have lost her winning lotto ticket whilst being treated in hospital has filed a warrant of prohibitory injunction against lottery operator Maltco, seeking to prohibit the company from transferring her winnings to third parties, saying the matter is one of life and death.

The €820,000 Lotto Quaterno+ jackpot had been won on 18 May by a ticket bought from Qawra, but on 5 June, the operator issued a press release, explaining that the winnings had not yet been claimed and if the holder of the lucky ticket did not come forward by 17 July, the winnings would be donated to charity.

But the woman is arguing that she had indeed claimed the winnings, first informally, then by means of a judicial letter dated 20 June 2019, and then by means of a court case which was filed on 8 July 2019. In addition, she had successfully obtained the issuing of a warrant of description in order to retrieve IT data held by Maltco Lotteries Limited, which would strengthen her case.

Following media reports that the jackpot was to be donated to charity, the woman filed a prohibitory injunction yesterday, seeking an order from the court to prohibit Maltco Lotteries Limited from transferring the winnings to third parties.

“My client would like to clarify that she appreciates the benefit derived by the money being given to the Good Causes Funds, and does a lot of charity herself,” said lawyer Carlos Bugeja, appearing on behalf of the woman.

“However, she has ample evidence proving that she bought the winning ticket, which unfortunately she was dispossessed of due to the ordeal of having been admitted to hospital because of grave and serious health issues.

“Indeed, due to these same health issues, for my client, this is a matter of literally life and death, and not one of simple monetary gain.”