Taking a photograph of a winning lottery ticket does not necessarily mean you can use it to claim the prize. A businessman who said he lost his winning 4D ticket tried to claim RM185,671 using a photograph, but the lottery operator refused to pay without the original ticket.
He subsequently took legal action to recover the money. However, after the Sessions Court dismissed his claim, the High Court also dismissed his appeal.
According to 8TV News, the Shah Alam High Court delivered the ruling on the 19th and ordered the businessman to pay RM3,000 in costs.
Businessman Says RM30 Lottery Purchase Won More Than RM185,000
The businessman claimed that he spent RM30 on a lottery ticket bearing the numbers “1515” and “1010” at an outlet in Petaling Jaya on May 14, 2022. He said the ticket subsequently won RM185,671.
He had photographed the ticket but later lost the original. On May 16, 2022, he lodged a police report and subsequently attempted to claim the prize using the photograph.
The lottery operator rejected his claim because he could not produce the original ticket, leading to the court dispute.
Lawyer: Serial Numbers Matched and Nobody Claimed with the Original
During the appeal, the businessman’s lawyer argued that the Sessions Court had placed too much emphasis on the missing ticket without adequately considering the combined weight of the other evidence.
He said the lottery operator’s witness had confirmed that the serial number recorded in the police report matched the details in the photograph. He also pointed out that nobody had produced the original ticket to claim the winnings.
The businessman’s legal team therefore argued that the photograph, police report and relevant testimony should be considered together, rather than focusing solely on his inability to produce the original ticket.
Lottery Operator Insists on Original Ticket
The lottery operator’s lawyer maintained that its rules required claimants to present the original ticket. This requirement, the lawyer argued, was an important safeguard against fraudulent claims and duplicate payouts.
The dispute centred on whether the photograph and supporting evidence were sufficient to establish the businessman’s entitlement to the prize without the original ticket.
The Sessions Court had previously dismissed his claim. The High Court subsequently dismissed his appeal and ordered him to pay RM3,000 in costs.
Further Appeal Yet to Be Decided
The businessman’s lawyer said he would seek his client’s instructions before deciding whether to pursue a further appeal.
The case highlights an important point for anyone holding a physical lottery ticket: a photograph provides a record, but should not be treated as a substitute for the original. Keep the ticket safe and check the relevant lottery operator’s requirements and procedures for claiming prizes.
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