The single biggest prize in Canadian lottery history will finally reach its winner, two months after the draw. But don’t think it took so long because the winner did not present himself, in fact, too many potential winners contested the prize, so the case had to go to court. But a judge decided that Matthew Hayduk, the original claimant of the prize, should be entitled to the $33 million jackpot, as the only other person left in the “race”, Ted Baltoussen, does not have a strong claim to the prize. Hayduk said that he plans on leaving town as fast as possible. State lottery

“Once the prize is paid to me, I will be able to afford to take my commonlaw wife on a well-deserved vacation and ‘disappear’ from the media and others,” Hayduk stated.

The case was heavily featured in the media when the lottery decided it should go to court. Besides Hayduk and Baltoussen, about a dozen other people came in, claiming the prize. And upon determining that it does not possess the means necessary to settle the dispute, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation decided to pass it along to the court. The prospect of being involved in a court battle scared off the other claimants, and only Hayduk and Baltoussen, who claimed that a store clerk switched his ticket, were left. Baltoussen also claimed that he just wants “to get to the bottom” of this and see if that was what really happened.

“I have been anxiously waiting since April 28, 2011, after which I presented the winning ticket to the (lottery corporation) to be paid the winnings of $33,301,693.30,” Hayduk stated. National lottery

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Denny Thomas told Baltoussen that he must present an affidavit, stating where he purchased the ticket and how he wanted to continue with his claim, but Ted Baltoussen did not meet the June 21 deadline.

Matthew Hayduk said that the media became hawks after the case went public, and his family had to go “into hiding”. To avoid any further media exposure, the lottery decided not to present a formal check, so there will be no award ceremony. Lottery winning numbers

That’s about it for today. Return to us soon, as we will do our best to give you daily updates on all the goings-on of the world of lotteries.