Irish Lotto Players Urged to Claim €500,000 Prize Before Deadline

Irish Lotto players are facing a critical deadline to claim a substantial prize of **€500,000** that remains uncollected. The winning ticket from the **Daily Million Plus** draw held on **October 12, 2023**, must be claimed by **January 10, 2024**, or it will expire under National Lottery rules. This ticket was purchased at the **Ardara Filling Station** located on the **Portnoo Road** in **Co Donegal**.

The winning numbers for this draw were **9, 16, 24, 29, 32, 38**, with a bonus number of **5**. Players in the area are urged to check their tickets carefully, as this life-changing amount could be in their possession.

Darragh O’Dwyer, a spokesperson for the National Lottery, expressed hope that the lucky winner would come forward soon. He stated, “We are hoping to hear from a Daily Million Plus player in Ardara who won **€500,000** in the **2pm** draw on Sunday, **12th October**.” He emphasized the importance of checking tickets, saying, “Players have **90 days** from the date of the draw to claim their prize, so the final deadline is Saturday, **10th January**.”

In light of this situation, O’Dwyer advised anyone holding the winning ticket to sign the back and store it safely. Prize claims can be arranged by contacting the National Lottery prize claims team at **1800 666 222** or via email at **[email protected]**.

Concerns Over Unclaimed Prizes in Donegal

This announcement coincides with a recent analysis revealing that Donegal ranks among the unluckiest counties in Ireland regarding unclaimed National Lottery winnings. According to data from **Casino.org Ireland**, Donegal has an average of **€27.66** in unclaimed prizes per resident, placing it fifth in the national ranking. Counties such as **Louth**, **Kerry**, and **Galway** lead the list, with Louth averaging **€74.05** per resident.

JJ Lee, a spokesperson for Casino.org Ireland, highlighted the importance of actively checking tickets. “Big ‘check your tickets’ pushes always come in waves. When there’s a **€500,000** ticket sitting unclaimed with days left to go, it’s a reminder that a paper ticket is only valuable if it’s actually checked and claimed in time,” he noted.

He advised players to conduct thorough searches through their belongings, checking wallets, jacket pockets, glove compartments, and any other places where a ticket might be stashed for safekeeping.

The National Lottery’s **90-day claim window** means that if the prize is not claimed by **January 10**, it will no longer be valid. In **2024** alone, **€15.1 million** in National Lottery prizes went unclaimed, highlighting a growing concern about the awareness of players regarding their tickets. Despite an increase in online ticket sales, which now account for **18.1%** of total purchases, retail tickets remain the majority.

As the clock ticks down, the potential winner from Ardara has a final opportunity to claim a life-altering amount that could significantly change their circumstances. Players in the region are advised to act quickly and ensure their tickets are checked before it is too late.