Curtis Geiger, a resident of Calgary, purchased a Showband 50/50 ticket earlier this month and only checked his numbers this week. He learned that his ticket matched the winning combination, but the organization overseeing the lottery indicated he was beyond the 48-hour redemption period.
The Calgary Stampede’s 50/50 program is described as a lottery-style fundraiser associated with the annual rodeo and exhibition. In this instance, the prize amounted to about $125,150, with the winner required to claim within two days of the official drawing or announcement. The Stampede’s operators said Geiger did not meet that deadline, leaving the funds unclaimed.
Geiger reportedly expressed surprise at the timing, noting he had only recently looked at the results. He had not previously checked his ticket prior to this week. The lottery’s rules specify the redemption window and the process for prize collection, but according to the organizers, those terms were not met in Geiger’s case.
The incident highlights the importance of timely verification and redemption in large-format 50/50 raffles, which are common at major Canadian events. Officials emphasized that while the prize remains unclaimed, it is subject to the established rules, including deadlines for prize payment.
The Calgary Stampede continues to run its 50/50 program as part of its year-round fundraising efforts. Representatives cautioned participants to review tickets promptly after results are posted and to follow the official instructions for claiming prizes.
Geiger’s situation could prompt a review of notification procedures or shared guidance on how winners are alerted, though Stampede officials did not indicate any changes to the redemption policy at this time. The outcome underscores a straightforward, if potentially costly, reminder: even substantial prizes require timely action.
