The ongoing mystery of an unclaimed $64 million lottery ticket: The clock is ticking

globalnews.ca:

As the one-year expiry date looms closer, the largest lottery win in Atlantic Canadian history is still yet to be paired with its rightful owner.

On April 15, 2023, Atlantic Lottery drew a winner for their $64 million Gold Ball jackpot and determined the ticket was purchased in Gloucester County, N.B. But as months passed and calls for the winner to come forward persisted, nothing but silence has been heard from the unidentified ticketholder.

Molly Cormier, director of communications at Atlantic Lottery, said the gaming company hasn’t heard from anyone despite ongoing efforts to create public awareness on the win.

“We’re very hopeful that we’ll still get to meet the winner and give them their $64 million prize,” she said in an interview on Friday.

“This process is working the way that it should in that there’s 12 months built in, in case someone does choose to take that time to wait and come forward. We’re just letting that play out and we’re still hopeful that we’ll get to meet the winner.”

Despite rumours circulating about who the winner is and why they’re yet to claim their prize, Cormier said the reality of the situation remains — no one has presented themselves with the winning ticket.

Gloucester County, the area where the ticket was purchased, is located in the northeastern corner of New Brunswick and is home to several municipalities and one First Nations reserve.

The county’s total population is about 80,000, with the city of Bathurst having the largest portion of people.

For privacy and security reasons, Atlantic Lottery doesn’t publicize the town or store where the winning ticket was purchased until the winner comes forward.

If nothing changes by the time April rolls around, the $64 million amount will be