BCLC Presents $50 Million Prize for March 14, 2014 Lotto Max Draw

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 15, 2015) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

BCLC is pleased to announce the winners of the $50 million Lotto Max jackpot arising from the March 14, 2014 draw are Friedrich and Annand Mayrhofer and their son Eric Mayrhofer, all from Langley.

The winning ticket was first presented to BCLC on March 9, 2015 by the purchaser's lawyer. This was just five days before the expiration of the one-year prize claim period. Once BCLC validated the ticket as authentic, we initiated the prize claim verification process. Ownership of the ticket had been signed over to a trust before it was presented to BCLC and the beneficiaries of the trust were not disclosed to BCLC.

The fact that the ticket was claimed by a trust led to a lengthy prize claim review. The unique nature of the claim required BCLC to consult with the Inter-Provincial Lottery Corporation (ILC), the national organization that oversees Lotto Max across Canada.

In June 2015, BCLC, in conjunction with the ILC, concluded that only an individual or group of individuals can claim a prize, not a trust. Ultimately, in accordance with the ILC and BCLC Lottery Rules and Regulations, BCLC advised the purchasers that the trust was an ineligible prize claimant and therefore, they would need to submit the prize claim as individuals.

In November, the Mayrhofers submitted a prize claim as a group. BCLC was then able to conduct a thorough review of this prize claim, verify the winners, fulfill our commitment to transparency and pay the prize.

When a lottery ticket is purchased, the player enters into a contract that includes certain conditions set out in the BCLC and ILC Lottery Rules and Regulations, one of which requires the ticket holder to consent to their name and photo being published.

"Throughout this process we have been guided by the principle of maintaining integrity of the lottery system – which we uphold by ensuring prizes are paid to the right people and by publicizing winners," said Jim Lightbody, BCLC President & CEO.

Public interest in this prize has been unprecedented. BCLC received 739 inquiries about this prize. BCLC reviews every inquiry and claim made regarding a lottery prize and escalates for further investigation as warranted.

The winning ticket was purchased at a Shoppers Drug Mart, which was located at 601-22259 48 Avenue in Langley. This win ties for the largest prize ever won in B.C. The last time a $50 million Lotto Max prize was won in B.C. was October 2010.

"We are a quiet family," said Fred Mayrhofer. "Our plans are to renovate our home, buy some new furniture and maybe take a sunny vacation."

This isn't the first time Fred has won the lottery. A photo of him with a $1,000 win has been taped to his fridge for many years. He also recalls a win of about $3,000 a number of years ago.

"When I claimed the $3,000 I told the clerk at the prize claim counter that I would see her again – but I never imagined it would be for a win this size!"

Lotto Max can be played at all lottery retail locations and online at PlayNow.com, with tickets available until 7:30 p.m. (PDT) on draw day (Friday). Winning numbers and group release forms can be found online at www.bclc.com.

BCLC is a provincial Crown Corporation offering socially responsible gaming entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20151215-Lotto_Max_winners_fig01_dec15.jpg