Calgary resident Curtis Geiger experienced a whirlwind of emotions this week. After discovering that the 50/50 ticket he bought at the Calgary Stampede rodeo on July 11 was a winning ticket worth $125,150, Geiger was ecstatic but also in disbelief. He recounted how he confirmed the numbers with a colleague because he couldn’t believe his luck.
Geiger wasted no time and promptly contacted the Calgary Stampede to claim his prize. However, his excitement turned to disappointment when he was informed that the 48-hour window to claim the prize had already elapsed. The Stampede explained that all prizes for the Show Band 50/50 draw had either been claimed or the time limit for claiming had passed.
Expressing his frustration, Geiger mentioned feeling upset with himself for missing the window and also expressed discontent with the organization’s handling of the situation. The Calgary Stampede clarified that the 48-hour claim period is a standard rule outlined in the lottery guidelines set by Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC).
Geiger pointed out that the ticket did not specify the 48-hour time frame for claiming the prize and emphasized that the word “may” implied a choice rather than an obligation. He also believed that the claim period was too short and questioned the fate of the unclaimed prize money.
Legal expert Farhad Shekib suggested that Geiger might have a case for breach of contract due to potential lack of clear communication about the claim window. Shekib stressed the importance of transparently informing ticket buyers about claim deadlines to ensure fairness in such situations.
Geiger expressed his intention to explore legal options and raise awareness to prevent others from facing a similar situation in the future. The Calgary Stampede stated that unclaimed prize funds are distributed according to regulatory requirements set by AGLC, benefiting both the Stampede and the Calgary Marching Show Band Association.
