Bettor thought lotto winners were ‘joke-joke lang,’ splits Superlotto jackpot

A bettor from Cavite who thought lotto jackpot winners were just "jokes" has split with another winner the Superlotto 6/49 jackpot prize of over P31 million using numbers from the birthdates of her loved ones.

According to the PCSO, the winner who had been betting for two years said she didn't think there were actual winners in the lotto.

“Tunay na nagbago ang aking perspektibo at paniniwala sa lotto at PCSO. Napapanood ko noon sa TV yung lotto draws pero never ko naisip na meron nga talagang nananalo dito. Hindi ko alam ako na pala yung susunod na tatama,”  the winner was quoted as saying on PCSO's Facebook post.

“Kala ko na joke lang mga jackpot winners. Noong nakita ko agad yung resulta sa koteho, nabigla ako at nagbihis agad para kunin ang aking napanalunan sa PCSO. Ngayon alam ko na ang pakiramdam! Totoo pala ang Lotto at ang mga nag ke-claim ng jackpot prizes," she added.

The Cavite resident split with another winner the P31,725,228.00 Superlotto jackpot.

They won with the combination 12-05-01-30-09-14 drawn on August 15.

There were no winners in the Grand Lotto 6/55 and Megalotto 6/45 draws on Wednesday.

The combination 03-31-28-37-55-25 would have won for a Grand Lotto 6/55 bettor P29.7 million.

The combination 44-41-29-18-02-13 would have won for Mega Lotto 6/45 bettor P33,297,251.80.

Please see other lotto results here.

The PCSO has shared some dos and don’ts in claiming the jackpot prize.

Interviewed on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Hirit, PCSO senior marketing specialist Romi Sison said jackpot winners should go to the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong with the winning ticket and two valid IDs to claim the prize.

If the winning ticket is lost, Sison said the prize could not be claimed.

The validity of a winning ticket only lasts up to one year, according to Sison.

She reminded bettors to keep tickets pristine as winning tickets should pass a validating machine.

If the ticket got wet, crumpled, or defaced, the machine will not be able to read the number combination and serial number, and thus the winner will not be able to claim the prize.

Sison also advised bettors should immediately sign their ticket upon purchase. Only the person who signed the winning ticket can claim the prize.

In case the winner is unable to claim the prize due to health reasons, his or her representative should present a special power of attorney to claim the prize.

Asked if the PCSO assists winners in terms of financial management, Sison said winners undergo orientation on best options in handling their money right after claiming the prize.

“Kapag nag-claim po sila ng premyo, pinagsasabihan po sila kung ano po kung saan magandang dalhin ang pera, kung ano po ang dapat gawin,” she said.

(When they claim the prize, they will be advised where to invest their money and what to do with it.) —NB, GMA Integrated News