R100m Lotto ticket bought in Sandton remains unclaimed, what Joburg players should do if they lose a ticket

Who can claim and the deadlines

Winners have 365 days from the date of purchase to claim Lotto prizes. After that period the ticket expires and unclaimed winnings are transferred to the National Lottery Distribution Fund, to be distributed by the National Lotteries Commission.

What to do if you lose or damage a ticket

If a ticket is lost or stolen, Ithuba says it must be reported immediately. Ithuba will collaborate with law enforcement to investigate and to honour valid claims within the 365-day claim period. Damaged tickets are subject to verification, and any fraudulent or tampered tickets will be declared void.

Proof, claims and cash payments

For prizes over R50,000, winners must report to a regional Ithuba office to claim their prize. Ithuba says cash prizes are deposited into the winner’s bank account tax-free within 72 hours of claim processing.

Public notices and reminders

Ithuba may publicise cases of unclaimed prize winnings six months after the draw and will follow up 30 days before the winning ticket expires. Ithuba has also advised the public to keep tickets secure and to check their numbers, particularly right after a draw.

Michelle von Trotsenburg has encouraged the public to keep their tickets safe and check their numbers, particularly after a draw.

Practical tips for Joburg players

• Keep physical tickets somewhere secure immediately after purchase.
• Check draw numbers promptly so any claim can be made within the 365‑day window.
• If you play via a banking app, expect a call from your bank to confirm a prize if you win.
• If a ticket is lost, report it to Ithuba right away so an investigation can begin.

For Johannesburg players, the unclaimed Sandton City ticket is a local reminder: treat a winning ticket like cash and move quickly to report and claim through the official Ithuba channels.