New National Lottery rules explained as winners waiting weeks for prize cash

dailyrecord.co.uk:

New changes to the National Lottery rules mean that winners are struggling to get their hands on their prize money. The National Lottery was taken over by Allwyn, a multi-national lottery operator, from Camelot in February of this year and with the acquisition, new rules have emerged.As a result, the way winners are able to collect their prize money has changed as the Post Office are no longer handing out rewards this large as previously.

This means that many have been left waiting weeks for their money to come through. The new rules now state that winners of between £500 and £50,000 on Lottery games must follow the online process to receive their money, providing their name, address, contact details and email - as well as a Prize Claim Form.They must do this within 180 days of their win and send their physical ticket into the office.

This however has led to huge delays for some who previously would have been able to pick up their money within hours or days of winning, reports the Mirror.Sergei Cofie-Squire, from Toxteth, won £1,500 after purchasing a ticket from WHSmith on March 19, however is still waiting to receive his money.

The 61 year-old has planned to spend his winnings on a holiday to Dubai but has expressed his frustration that despite sending in his ticket weeks ago, he still hasn't seen a penny.The man shared with the Liverpool Echo: "I have been in touch many times because I won on March 19.