The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) announced Thursday it would award the 50/50 raffle prize that was claimed late to Clayton Hinkey.
The prize is worth $67,692.50.
“It’s amazing,” Hinkey told Global News. “It’s an absolute blessing.”
“After a thorough review of the matter and through partnership and consultation with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), this one-time exception is being made to award the 50/50 prize,” the Oilers foundation said in a news release.
READ MORE: Single father pleads for extension on $67K Oilers 50/50 prize deadline
Hinkey was told about the decision Thursday morning.
“A lot of relief,” he said. “It’s been a really interesting week. I’m really happy that ultimately we were able to just talk and work it out.”
He’s pledged to donate $30,000 of his winnings to charity. The Stollery Children’s Hospital, the AARC Centre (a Calgary group that supports youth with addictions) and the Lloydminster Sexual Assault Centre will each receive $10,000, Hinkey said.
“Honestly, this was not a case of them making an exception because I’m a poor, single dad or whatever, it was never like that. I just wanted to say, ‘hey let’s clarify what the rules are and really look at this.'”
In working with the AGLC, the Oilers foundation felt this was a “fair,” one-time exception they could make. Executive Director Natalie Minckler hopes it can be used to educate fans.
“We do communicate what we’re doing, the time restrictions on our social channels, it’s broadcast during the game as well but we really wanted to ensure the public knew that they had 48 hours to claim their 50/50 winnings.”
She added the foundation has no plans to change the rules.
“We don’t plan on setting a precedent with this one,” Minckler said.
The winning ticket was chosen at the Sunday, Oct. 1, 2016 Edmonton Oilers game. It was Hinkey’s but he missed the 48-hour window to claim the ticket.
Hinkey took his four-year-old son Roscoe to the game against the Buffalo Sabres as a birthday present.
Roscoe started to get antsy in the first intermission and three minutes into the second period — knowing they had a two-hour drive home to Sedgewick, Alta., ahead of them, they left Rogers Place. Hinkey put Roscoe to bed and forgot about the tickets — until Thursday around 4 p.m.
“It was like a long day at work and then I’m like, ‘Holy man I won this’ and then I was pretty pumped up and then it was a crushing defeat after that.”
He contacted the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and posted a message to the team on Facebook, asking for an exception to be made.
Hinkey said the reaction to his experience has been intense, but he’s grateful for those who reached out and offered support.
“Win or lose, I was really happy to have this experience. It was crazy,” he said. “I don’t know what to tell you – it was crazy.”
His son doesn’t quite understand the significance of Thursday’s news.
“Roscoe’s idea of money is that the most expensive thing in the world is ‘five monies,’ so he doesn’t quite have a grip on currency,” Hinkey said with a laugh. “He just turned four two weeks ago.”
In January 2015, the Edmonton Oilers changed the way 50/50 jackpots are claimed. Winners now have until 4 p.m., two business days after the game to claim their prize. Before January 2015, ticket winners had 10 minutes from the time the number was called at the game to claim their prize.
Raffle rules vary depending on the sports team.
“Each charitable organization, if you conduct a 50/50 raffle, can apply to AGLC with their particular raffle rules,” Minckler explained. “There isn’t an industry standard. AGLC looks at each organization individually and applies the rules accordingly.”
With files from Sarah Kraus, Global News
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