Lotto jackpot worth W2b goes unclaimed — deadline is Nov. 2

A first-prize lotto jackpot worth about 2 billion won sold in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province has yet to be claimed. The deadline to collect the winnings is Nov. 2.

Donhaeng Bokgwon, the state lottery operator, announced Monday that the first-prize winnings from the 1,196th lotto drawing, held Nov. 1 last year, remain unclaimed.

The unclaimed prize totals 2,001,627,550 won ($1.48 million). The winning numbers were 8, 12, 15, 29, 40, 45, with 14 as the bonus number. The ticket was sold at a lottery retailer on Namga-ro in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.

Lotto prizes must be claimed within one year of the payout start date, setting the deadline for the 1,196th drawing's first prize at Nov. 2. Any prize not collected by then will be transferred in full to the lottery fund under the Lottery and Lottery Fund Act.

The lottery fund supports public-interest programs, including residential stability initiatives, scholarships and assistance for marginalized communities.

Winners can collect their prize at any Nonghyup Bank branch by presenting the physical ticket. Inquiries about the payout process can be directed to the Donhaeng Bokgwon customer center at 1588-6450.

Donhaeng Bokgwon urged anyone who has not checked their tickets after purchase to do so again.

Kim Jong-un, head of Donhaeng Bokgwon's service division, said winners should "check once more whether there are any tickets you bought but never checked, and make sure to claim your prize before the deadline."

Donhaeng Bokgwon also said that registering a paper ticket in the lottery wallet feature of the PAYCO mobile payment app allows users to receive automatic notifications of winning results after each drawing. Any prize registered in the lottery wallet that remains uncollected through the previous day before the payout deadline will be paid out automatically on Nov. 2.

However, even for tickets registered in the lottery wallet, payment via the physical ticket takes priority, so holders should keep their paper tickets safe and avoid losing or damaging them through Nov. 1, the day before the payout deadline.