It couldn’t be you – National Lottery admits €180,000 in scratch card top prizes did not exist

Kilkenny punters may have missed out on up to €180,000 in winnings after the National Lottery admitted the top prizes on scratch cards didn’t actually exist.

The National Lottery, which is majority-owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, has apologised for what they have called an “error.”

Four top prizes across three scratch card games, printed since 2014, were not included on the card’s players were buying, meaning the top cash prize could not be won.

Two of the scratch cards are no longer available to buy. The third – “Congratulations,” has been available since April but was removed from sale this morning.

The National Lottery this lunchtime admitted they knew there was an issue with the “Congratulations” game six-weeks ago but did not withdraw the cards from sale.

It’s now emerged the National Lottery regulator was made aware of the “error” last month but did not instruct the Lotto operators to remove the “Congratulations” scratch cards from sale with immediate effect.

The regulator has instructed the lottery operator to hold a special draw to reimburse the missing cash prizes. It now plans to hold a draw on January 6, 2020, when 180 prizes of €1,000 will be available.

It is understood the lottery regulator will look into whether the operators are in breach of its license or the National Lottery Act.