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Camelot Stands By Jackpot Decision4 May 2001UNITED KINGDOM –May 4, 2001—As reported by the BBC: "The National Lottery operator Camelot has rejected calls from culture secretary Chris Smith for it to pay a £3m jackpot to a couple who lost their ticket. Speaking on BBC One's Question Time programme Mr Smith said that the lottery operator should "see reason" and make the payment to Kay and Martyn Tott. "…The couple, from Watford, Hertfordshire, forfeited their prize because they failed to meet the 30-day deadline for claiming on lost tickets. "The Totts did not realise they had won with their regular choice of numbers until six months after the September draw. "…Camelot said that to pay up would undermine the lottery's rules and damage its integrity. "…In response to Mr Smith's comments, Camelot issued a statement which said: `The decision not to pay was only made after extensive legal advice and consultation with its regulator the National Lottery Commission. "`Under the rules there are no powers either for Camelot to pay the claim, or for the National Lottery Commission to authorise payment of the claim. "`Given these facts, to pay would be to set a precedent that would put the National Lottery at risk.'…" |