Australia: $100 million Powerball jackpot still unclaimed two months after draw

The mystery winner of a $100 million Powerball jackpot has yet to come forward nearly two months after the prize was drawn.

The winning ticket for Powerball draw 1517 was purchased at Bondi Junction Newsagency and Internet Cafe in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on June 12, Daily Mail reported. However, the winner did not register the ticket to an account, leaving lottery officials without a way to contact the lucky player.

Despite public appeals and widespread media coverage, no one has claimed what stands as the third-largest lottery prize in Australian history.

Grace Martino, a cashier at the Bondi Junction newsagency, told Daily Mail the winner could be anyone — a passerby, a tourist, or a backpacker — as regular customers have all inquired about the results. 

Martino does not know exactly when the ticket was bought, but the purchase time is logged with the lottery officials. In an effort to identify the winner, lottery authorities are now reviewing CCTV footage from inside the store to match the purchase time.

The Lott, the official lottery operator, confirmed that winners in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have six years from the draw date to claim their prize.

In Queensland, the window is seven years, while Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania have no time limit, though delayed claims beyond 12 months may incur administrative fees. On average, winners claim their prizes within 10 days of the draw.

A Lott spokesman said the investigation to locate the winner is ongoing but stressed that no personal information would be released without the claimant’s consent. “[There are] established guidelines for the responsible management of unclaimed prize money, which include initiatives such as community donations, bonus draws, and player promotions," the person said.

The Bondi Junction newsagency has previously sold other winning tickets, including a $1 million prize, but nothing of this magnitude. Martino urged regular players to always register their tickets to avoid missing out on winnings.

The Lott is not required to pay out prizes for missing or unregistered tickets. "By registering your in-store or online lottery entry to The Lott Members Club, not only are we able to contact you straight after the draw if you win big, but your prize is secure," the company said.

The Lott added that unregistered tickets can only be paid out if there is “clear and irrefutable” proof of purchase. While unregistered winning tickets can technically be claimed, the lack of registration complicates the process.

If the winner turns out to be a foreign tourist or backpacker, they are still eligible to claim the prize. However, different tax rules may apply depending on their country of origin, and they must claim the prize either while still in Australia or by returning later.