|
|
October 16 - Despite coming under fire for its ineptitude for paying out much-needed lottery funds to charities and previously disadvantaged communities, South African National Lottery operator Gidani celebrated its first anniversary this month, marking a full year of selling Lotto, LottoPlus and SportStake tickets.
Gidani won the contract to operate and re-launch the South African National Lottery on October 5th, 2007 - after a six-month hiatus. South African lottery fans were forced to endure the break after the first Lottery operator's contract expired and the prospective operators fought for the lucrative franchise in court.
In its first year after being awarded the South African National Lottery contract (following the drawn-out legal battle), Gidani has to date sold over two billion lottery boards valued at R3.6-billion. These have produced 96 instant lottery millionaires who have been paid out a whopping R339-million in lottery jackpots.
During last year Gidani has reported many heart warming stories about lucky lottery winners. For instance, one 24-year-old winner - who held a winning ticket worth a not-too-shabby R13.3-million - had the bright idea (pun intended) to hide his million rand South African National Lottery ticket inside a light bulb.
Another tells of a lucky multi-million rand winner who before winning the lottery had never walked into a bank before because he never had any money to bank, not even towards a savings account. It seems that the experience of being an instant South African National Lottery millionaire was very daunting for the winner.
Of course (as is the case with most lotteries around the world) there is a mountain of money in unclaimed lottery winnings from the past year. In fact, a mammoth R32-million in winnings is set to expire on December 30th this year if unclaimed. As such Gidani has advised ticket holders to check their tickets at lottery outlets.
Said Gidani spokesperson, Thembi Tulwana, 'Unclaimed Jackpots have a life span of 365 days after that particular draw to be claimed, failing which 50% of that amount goes back to the NLDTF for distribution to good causes and 50% is retained in the Participation Trust Fund which Gidani can utilize for super draws.'
Check out the most recent national lotto results right here on GamblingSA.
Related Gambling Articles:
- SkillPod Gaming Explodes with New Games
- Gold Reef Directors See Money Instead of Foreclosure
- African Palace Casino Makes Wishes Come True
- Can Montecasino Revitalize South African Tennis Open
- NRGP Plays Important Role in Problem Gambling Prevention
- Look out for Mystery Jackpots at Emperors Palace
- Casino King Treats SA Players Like Royalty
- CASA Happy With South African Casino Situation
|
|
|
