Calgary resident Curtis Geiger experienced a tumultuous week filled with surprising turns. The highlight came when he discovered that the 50/50 ticket he bought at the Calgary Stampede rodeo on July 11 was a winning ticket worth $125,150. Geiger, overwhelmed with disbelief, even had a colleague double-check the numbers. Thoughts of early retirement crossed his mind. However, his excitement was short-lived when the Calgary Stampede informed him that the 48-hour window to claim the prize had expired.
Geiger promptly contacted the Stampede after learning about his win, only to receive the disappointing news. The Stampede clarified that all prizes for the Show Band 50/50 draw had either been claimed or had surpassed the claim period. Despite feeling let down by missing the deadline, Geiger expressed frustration towards both himself and the organization.
According to the Calgary Stampede, the Showband 50/50 operates under a lottery license issued by Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC). They emphasized that the claim period is a crucial aspect outlined in the lottery rules and FAQs. Geiger, on the other hand, argues that the 48-hour window was not explicitly stated on the ticket and believes the timeframe is unreasonably short.
Geiger’s situation has prompted discussions about potential legal actions. Lawyer Farhad Shekib from Toronto suggested that Geiger might have grounds for a breach of contract case, questioning the fairness and clarity of the 48-hour claim window. Geiger, considering his legal options, aims to raise awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
