Clock ticking for winning $1M lottery ticket buyer from Milton

TORONTO- Time is running out to find the person who bought a winning $1 million Lotto  Max Maxmillions ticket.

Officially, the ticket will expire Dec. 20, although the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is extending the deadline to Dec. 22.

“They could be a millionaire,” said OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti, who is encouraging people who may have bought lottery tickets in Milton in the last 12 months to check their pockets, purses, wallets and suit jackets.

The winning numbers were: 2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 32 and 34. The ticket was purchased on Dec. 2013.

Most lottery winners claim their prizes within the first two months after the numbers are announced. After that point, Bitonti says the OLG flags the winning ticket numbers in a special area on its website. Near the end of year, as the deadline approaches, the corporation issues a press release in an attempt to encourage lottery ticket buyers to find that possible fortune.

Sometimes, the OLG proactively investigates cases in order to find winners.

READ MORE: ‘Weird and wonderful’ journey for $50M Lotto Max prize winner

Last year, Kathryn Jones of Hamilton was tracked down as the winner of a $50 million lottery prize by the OLG. She didn’t even realize she had purchased a winning ticket, which she did not have in her possession. But the OLG’s investigation showed she had used a credit card to buy the ticket along with some groceries at a Shoppers Drug Mart.

“Holy mackerel, this is weird,” said a stunned Jones at a Toronto news conference last December, at which she was presented with the prize.

The OLG doesn’t appear to be launching an investigation to find the winner of the Milton prize, however.

Bitonti says the prize winner will be expected to verify some information to confirm they are the legitimate owner of the ticket.

“The store, what time, what the numbers were, other games (that were played); that’s what we want the ticket holder to give us,” he said.

According to the OLG, there are 76 retailers that sell lottery products in Milton.