Lottery winner’s huge $500k jackpot gone after unbelievable mistake

A National Lottery player from Redditch, Worcestershire, is probably kicking themselves after a "sad" blunder cost them a massive $500,000 jackpot.

The Sun reports that Lotto officials have confirmed the unfortunate soul missed the lottery deadline to claim their life-changing winnings .

The ticket for the Thunderball draw on December 8 matched the numbers 2, 15, 31, 35, 37, and the Thunderball 6, but despite extensive efforts to find the winner, no one stepped up before the June 5 cutoff.

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Allwyn, the National Lottery operator, announced that the hefty prize went unclaimed for over half a year, even after numerous calls for the winner to come forward.

Consequently, the "substantial" prize has been forfeited. The money, including any interest it earned, will now bolster various UK projects funded by the National Lottery, reports the Express .

"Unfortunately, I can confirm the ticket-holder did not come forward within the deadline to claim their prize and has now missed out on this substantial amount of money."

lamented Andy Carter, senior winners' advisor at The National Lottery.

He added, "However, the money will now add to the $30million raised each week for National Lottery-funded projects."

Previously, Redditch has seen benefits from National Lottery funding, such as support from Redditch Nightstop, which offers emergency accommodation and assistance to young people at risk of homelessness.

Meanwhile, Koala Tree, a service that offers talking therapy for parents and expectant parents who may be finding their journey through parenthood challenging, has also received financial benefits.

After the deadline passed, Lottery officials have urged players to check their tickets online or use the app to scan their tickets so they don't miss out on any winnings, big or small.

Players using the app or online will have their tickets checked and an email notification will be sent if you win a prize.

As with all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days, roughly six months, from the day of the draw to claim any prize money.

Any unclaimed prize money after 180 days, plus any interest it has accrued, is added to the amount raised each week which goes to good causes funded by the National Lottery.