Curtis Geiger holds a screenshot of his winning Stampede 50/50 ticket number in Calgary on Thursday, August 13, 2026. He is in a possible dispute with the Stampede because of the deadline to claim the winnings. Jim Wells/Postmedia

Article content

Winning a lottery is a dream for millions of people.

Article content

That sliver of hope has driven Curtis Geiger to buy raffle tickets for 35 years — including this summer when he actually held the winning slip.

Article content

Article content

But the ecstasy soon turned to despair after the Calgary Stampede told him he was too late in claiming the prize of its Showband 50/50 draw, worth $125,150. The deadline, he was told, was 48 hours from the time the winning ticket was announced, a rule he says is too restrictive.

Article content

Article content

Geiger, a plant manager for a beverage manufacturing company, spent $100 on tickets at the Stampede on July 11. Soon after, he left for a planned vacation in Greece and forgot about the draw. On Aug. 9, 30 days after the winner was announced, he found his ticket and checked online.

Article content

Article content

“I’m reading the number and I’m looking at my ticket, and I’m kind of like, holy cow,” Geiger said.

Article content

He was so overwhelmed that he asked his colleagues to validate his ticket number against the winner.

Article content

“We all got pretty excited, and I’m like, ah, it’s too good to be true,” Geiger said.

Article content

Several hours later, he received a response from the Stampede that the window for collecting the prize had passed.

Article content

“You go from a high to an extreme low, and disappointment and frustrated,” he said.

Article content

Curtis Geiger with his Stampede 50-50 ticket that was not claimed in time. Jim Wells/Postmedia

Article content

The Stampede said in an emailed statement that its 50/50 draw is conducted under a lottery licence issued by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) and “in accordance with the approved rules of the lottery.

Article content

“Under those rules, winning ticket-holders have 48 hours following the applicable draw to contact Calgary Stampede Lotteries to claim their prize. The 48-hour claim period is outlined in the publicly available 50/50 rules and FAQs,” a spokesperson wrote.

Article content

Article content

“We understand this is a disappointing situation for the individual involved. However, Calgary Stampede Lotteries is required to administer the lottery consistently and in accordance with the approved rules,” the email reads. “In this instance, the winning ticket-holder contacted Calgary Stampede Lotteries after the 48-hour claim period had expired and the prize therefore could not be awarded.”

Article content

The spokesperson said the unclaimed prize money will go back to the organization and Calgary Marching Show Band Association, “in accordance with AGLC requirements.”

Article content

Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis told Postmedia that under its terms and conditions, licensed charities have between 48 hours and 30 days to award prizes to their claimants, and the specific time period is “up to the discretion of the licensee.”

Article content

Claim deadlines vary between lotteries. The Stampede gives winners of the Rotary Dream Home 90 days to claim the reward. Recipients of the Edmonton Oilers 50/50 lotto have four days to redeem their winnings, while the Calgary Flames give 50/50 winners 30 days.