Calgarian Curtis Geiger had an eventful week filled with highs and lows. After discovering that the 50/50 ticket he bought at the Calgary Stampede rodeo on July 11 was a winning ticket worth $125,150, Geiger was ecstatic but also in disbelief. He shared his excitement, mentioning thoughts of earlier retirement and the rush of emotions upon realizing his win.

Geiger promptly reached out to the Calgary Stampede via email to claim his prize. However, his hopes were dashed when he received a response hours later. The Stampede informed him that all prizes for the Show Band 50/50 draw had either been claimed or the 48-hour window to claim the prize had lapsed, leaving Geiger disheartened and struggling to accept the situation.

Responding to inquiries, the Calgary Stampede stated that their Showband 50/50 operates under a lottery license from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) authority. The Stampede emphasized the necessity of adhering to the established rules and timelines, highlighting that Geiger’s claim fell outside the stipulated 48-hour period for prize redemption.

Although Geiger noted the absence of the 48-hour claim window information on his ticket and questioned the brevity of the timeframe, the Stampede clarified that unclaimed prize funds are allocated in accordance with AGLC guidelines.

Legal expert Farhad Shekib, based in Toronto, suggested that Geiger might have grounds for a breach of contract case, emphasizing the importance of clear communication regarding claim timelines to ticket purchasers. Shekib underscored the significance of fairness in legal proceedings and the potential impact on the outcome.

Geiger expressed his intent to explore legal avenues and raise awareness to prevent others from facing a similar situation, underscoring his determination to seek justice in the matter.