It has been a tumultuous week for Calgary resident Curtis Geiger. Geiger’s luck seemed to change on Monday when he discovered that the 50/50 ticket he bought at the Calgary Stampede rodeo on July 11 was a winning ticket worth $125,150.
Expressing his astonishment, Geiger mentioned that he was trembling and had to ask a colleague to verify the numbers. Dreaming of retiring a year earlier, he promptly contacted the Calgary Stampede to claim his prize.
However, his excitement was short-lived as he received an email response stating that all prizes for the Show Band 50/50 draw had either been claimed or the 48-hour window for claiming had passed. Geiger expressed his disappointment and frustration, blaming himself for missing the window and feeling let down by the organization.
The Calgary Stampede explained that the 48-hour claim period is a standard practice under the lottery license issued by Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC). Although Geiger argued that the ticket did not specify the time limit, the Stampede maintained that the rules were publicly available and had to be followed consistently.
Geiger, questioning the fairness of the short claim period, is contemplating legal action. Toronto lawyer Farhad Shekib suggested that Geiger might have a case for breach of contract based on the clarity of communication regarding the timeframe for claiming the prize.
Despite the setback, Geiger intends to explore his legal options and raise awareness to prevent similar situations from befalling others.