Can’t keep a million-dollar prize because the winner is afraid of sudden wealth? Or because the lottery balls get stuck in the drum? That sounds impossible, but life writes the craziest stories, even when it comes to the lottery. We have compiled for you a compilation of the most unusual stories from around the world. We promise you’ll find everything from hair-raising stories to educational ones. Enjoy laughing, being ashamed of others, and empathizing.
While lotto is played around the world, the following stories are from overseas and local players. Let’s start with a very generous winner from the Ruhr area of Germany.
Generous donors
9.1 million euros? No thank you! A man from Dortmund who won a sensational 9.1 million euros in the lottery couldn’t get used to the idea of suddenly being rich. On the contrary, the prospect of living a carefree life as a millionaire scared him so much that just before the deadline he decided to donate the money to a social foundation that he founded together with the lottery company.
A similar case happened to a 64-year-old Canadian who won the equivalent of €28 million. In gratitude for the loving care he gave to his wife, who passed away from cancer in 2012, he donated all of his profits to the Canadian Cancer Association and local health organizations.
Unclaimed Winnings
missed pension! In October 2012, a lottery ticket for GlücksSpirale was handed in in Düsseldorf, which won the main prize of a monthly immediate pension of EUR 7,500. A direct hit that all lottery players dream of. No more work, a life of prosperity and free from financial worries. Unfortunately, the owner of the ticket forgot his ticket or didn’t check his numbers after the draw because the prize was never claimed.
It may sound unbelievable, but this situation is not that rare. Every year, billions of euros in prizes remain unclaimed around the world, ranging from small amounts to multi-million jackpot wins.
But what happens to lottery winnings that are not collected? Depending on the country and lottery, there are different regulations. According to the law, lottery players in Germany have three years to claim their winnings. In the past, however, a collection period of only 13 weeks applied in Germany. If a prize is not collected within the three-year period, it will be forfeited. However, there are also tragic stories related to the lottery game. Stories that make your heart grow heavy and your eyes blur with tears. Like the story of a man from England who hit the jackpot and became a multi-millionaire. But luck was not with him for long. Only a few years later he died of a serious illness without having spent a cent of his winnings.
And then there are those who just can’t take the win. The sudden change in her life leads to arguments with friends and family members or addiction to drugs and alcohol. The story of an American who lost everything within a few years after winning $315 million and finally took his own life shows that money alone does not buy happiness.
Despite everything, the lottery game remains a fascinating phenomenon. The chance to become a millionaire with just a few numbers is enticing and has many people giving their tips every week. And who knows, maybe one day you will be one of the lucky winners yourself.
In any case, it is worth reading and learning from the curious stories from all over the world. Maybe it’s also a reminder that happiness doesn’t always have to mean money and that life with all its facets is the most important thing.
Visit us regularly at www.loto-king.com for more such stories and always keep the jackpot dream alive.
