Calgary resident Curtis Geiger experienced a tumultuous week of highs and lows. After discovering that the 50/50 ticket he bought during the Calgary Stampede rodeo on July 11 was a winning ticket valued at $125,150, Geiger was overwhelmed with disbelief and excitement. Upon confirming the numbers with a colleague, he began contemplating the possibility of retiring earlier than planned.
Eager to claim his prize, Geiger promptly contacted the Calgary Stampede. However, his hopes were dashed when he received an email informing him that the 48-hour window to claim the prize had lapsed, and all prizes for the Show Band 50/50 draw had either been claimed or expired. Disheartened by this turn of events, Geiger expressed his frustration, blaming himself for missing the deadline and feeling let down by the organization.
In response to the situation, the Calgary Stampede explained that the Showband 50/50 operates under a lottery license issued by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC). They stated that the 48-hour claim period is a standard requirement outlined in the lottery rules and FAQs, emphasizing the need for consistent administration of the lottery.
Geiger, however, pointed out that the ticket did not clearly specify the 48-hour claim period and interpreted the term “may be claimed” as optional rather than mandatory. He also criticized the brevity of the claim window, questioning the handling of unclaimed prize funds.
Legal expert Farhad Shekib suggested that Geiger might have grounds for a breach of contract case based on the clarity and fairness of the 48-hour window communication. Shekib emphasized the importance of clearly informing ticket buyers about claim timelines to avoid misunderstandings.
Geiger is now contemplating legal action and raising awareness to prevent others from facing a similar situation. The Calgary Stampede clarified that unclaimed prize funds are distributed according to AGLC regulations.