A mystery lottery winner has forfeited a £1million EuroMillions Millionaire Maker prize after failing to come forward before the deadline expired.
Allwyn, which operates the National Lottery, confirmed that no valid claim was submitted for the winning ticket purchased in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area for the draw held back in November, 2025.
The 180-day window for claiming the prize closed at midnight on May 3, meaning the ticket-holder has now permanently lost their chance to collect the seven-figure windfall.
The unclaimed funds, along with any accumulated interest, will be redirected to support National Lottery-funded projects.
Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, said: “Despite an extensive search for the mystery millionaire, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not come forward to claim their EuroMillions prize and has unfortunately missed out on this life-changing sum of money.”
Mr Carter acknowledged that despite significant publicity surrounding the approaching deadline, the winner never materialised.
The lottery operator had made considerable efforts to locate the ticket-holder in the weeks leading up to the cut-off date.
However, the search ultimately proved unsuccessful, leaving someone in the Dorset coastal region unaware they had been sitting on a fortune worth seven figures.
A mystery lottery winner has forfeited a £1million EuroMillions Millionaire Maker prize after failing to come forward before the deadline expired
|
GETTY
Mr Carter added that while the outcome is disappointing for the unknown winner, the money will not go to waste.
He said: “However, the money will now benefit Good Causes and add to the £33million raised each week for National Lottery-funded projects, several of which can be found in surrounding the Bournemouth area.”
The National Lottery generates approximately £33million weekly for charitable initiatives across the country.
Since its inception, lottery players have contributed more than £53billion to Good Causes, funding hundreds of community projects in every postcode district throughout the United Kingdom.
Allwyn, which operates The National Lottery, confirmed that no valid claim was submitted for the winning ticket
|
GETTY
The unclaimed million-pound prize will now bolster these ongoing efforts.
Several local organisations in the Bournemouth area have recently benefited from National Lottery funding.
The Bowra Foundation was granted £20,000 in December 2025 for its BOWRA Bag initiative, which provides practical support and physical activities for individuals recovering from brain injuries or strokes, involving Armed Forces community members.
Southbourne Surf Life Saving Club received £20,000 in August 2025 for its clubhouse facilities, supporting coastal safety operations alongside RNLI Lifeguards and the Coastguard.
The unclaimed funds, along with any accumulated interest, will be redirected to support National Lottery-funded projects
|
GETTY
Meredith’s Mission, which provides resources for children battling cancer in the local area, was awarded £20,000 in November 2025.
Hope Housing Training and Support Limited also secured £20,000 in September 2025 for programmes helping homeless individuals transition to independent living.
It comes after another mystery lottery winner came forward to claim a £1million prize with mere hours remaining before the deadline.
The deadline for the South Gloucestershire winner to come forward was midnight last Thursday, with the fortunate ticket-holder successfully matched five main numbers, 17, 18, 31, 36, 39 and 51, along with the Bonus Ball of 29.