Attention Vancouver Islanders—and all BC residents!
It might be time to check your pockets and drawers because millions of dollars in lottery winnings are still unclaimed!
Several massive prizes won by British Columbians in 2024 remain uncollected, and the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is urging ticket holders to come forward before the deadline.
If you’ve purchased a lottery ticket recently, now is the perfect time to double-check those numbers! Lottery winners in BC have 52 weeks from the draw date printed on their ticket to claim their prize, so don’t let the clock run out.
Here’s a list of unclaimed prizes worth $500,000 or more:
| Draw Date | Game | City of Purchase | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 23rd, 2024 | Lotto 6/49 Extra | Victoria | $500,000.00 |
| November 19th, 2024 | Lotto Max | Duncan | $1,000,000.00 |
| September 23rd, 2024 | Daily Grand | Courtenay | $500,000.00 |
| September 4th, 2024 | Lotto 6/49 Extra | Surrey | $500,000.00 |
| August 28th, 2024 | Lotto 6/49 Extra | Kamloops | $500,000.00 |
| August 20th, 2024 | Lotto Max | Vancouver | $1,000,000.00 |
| May 24th, 2024 | Lotto Max | Mission | $1,000,000.00 |
| May 21st, 2024 | Lotto Max | Surrey | $1,000,000.00 |
| April 6th, 2024 | Lotto 6/49 Extra | Richmond | $500,000.00 |
Shelley Wong from BCLC told Victoria Buzz that in 2021, a $15-million Lotto Max ticket purchased in Vancouver went unclaimed, expiring after August 13th, 2022.
While major wins like this are rare, a small percentage of lottery prizes go unclaimed each year—typically for smaller amounts, such as a few dollars.
Unclaimed prize money for national games like Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max is returned to the prize pool, meaning future players benefit from these unclaimed amounts.
Players can check their tickets at any lottery retailer in the province as well as anytime online or on the BCLC Lotto! App.
Could you be holding a winning ticket? Check now before it’s too late!
