This was stupid even by my standards
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
October 9, 2015 12:53pm CST
I usually buy tickets for the Thunderball draw, which is subdivision of the National Lottery here in England. The draw takes place 3 times per week, so it does offer a little interest whether I actually win anything or not.
Instead of buying individual tickets I find it more convenient to buy 1 ticket to be entered into all 3 draws for the coming week. At one time I would always buy these on Friday, but due to going on holiday a few times this year the day has changed several times. If my tickets are due to expire while away, I usually buy another one prior to flying which will cover the draws until I return.
I checked my ticket yesterday, which showed that I had won the grand sum of £3. As this was the last draw for the ticket, I took it with me today and cashed it while buying a fresh ticket.
To my surprise I was handed 2 tickets in return. On enquiring why I was informed that 1 was the ticket I had just purchased and the other was for the remaining draw left on the ticket I had just claimed.
I had not realised that I had a draw left on the old ticket, so if it had lost last night I would have thrown it away.
8 people like this
8 responses
@allknowing (153544)
• India
10 Oct 15
If you have been in it for so long then was this a new rule that you were not aware of? 
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
10 Oct 15
I've no clue how it works over there, but since you turned in the one ticket could it still win on the last draw? I'd think the cashier would have told you that before you cashed it in. If it had won the second time would you be able to reap both winnings or just one of them? It's nice you were given an extra ticket to make up for the one turned in, but what happens to that one? Did they have to leave it with the days receipts, I hope someone else didn't reap a benefit from that mistake. Not that it would be allowed, but you never know with people.
Course, I don't really understand how it works over there. I don't play the lottery on this side of the pond either.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
10 Oct 15
@MarshaMusselman Since the ticket was valid for 3 draws and had only been used for 2, there was still a draw to be made that the ticket covered. I handed over my ticket and they paid me then gave me a replacement ticket which was valid for the single draw remaining.
As expected, I did not win anything in that extra draw, but it could have done and I nearly threw it away.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
10 Oct 15
I just re-read the latter part of your post. It looks like you did get the same ticket back, yet they still gave you the earning from it? I don't see how they could do that without being short in their till.
