€15.3 Million Windfall: German Lottery Winner Unearths Ticket After Half-Year Delay

29-09-2025


A German father from the Hesse region has claimed a €15.3 million lottery prize after discovering a winning ticket he had forgotten in a jacket pocket for six months. The fortunate discovery came after lottery operator Lotto Hessen had been searching for the mystery winner since March, even posting notices at retail locations in an attempt to identify the ticket holder.

The winner, whose identity remains undisclosed, recounted hearing radio announcements about the search for the missing winner and questioning how someone could be "stupid enough" not to claim such a substantial prize. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he was the very person being sought, with the winning combination and complementary number printed on a receipt tucked away in a family closet.

The ticket was originally purchased in March and remained forgotten until last week when the Hesse resident rediscovered it while going through his wardrobe. The delayed discovery marks an unusual case for Lotto Hessen, as most winners typically contact the lottery company within two weeks of the draw, according to statements the organization made to media during the search period.

According to the company's communiqué, the windfall will be used to purchase a new sofa and support the couple's children, though other plans for the substantial sum remain unspecified. The unusual story has captured attention across German media outlets, highlighting one of the more remarkable lottery redemption stories in recent memory.

Recommended news

Knorr-Bremse Acquires Dutch Digital Platform TRAVIS to Expand Commercial Vehicle Services

2025-10-20T11:55:42.320Z

MUNICH — Knorr-Bremse AG, the German manufacturer of braking systems for trucks and trains, announced on Monday it has agreed to acquire Dutch digital services platform TRAVIS Road Services International B.V. The deal, valued in the mid-double-digit million-euro range, represents the latest...

Read more


Wohnungsbau Sentiment Improves Despite Persistent Order Shortages

2025-10-20T11:55:25.117Z

The mood in Germany's residential construction sector has improved to its highest level in over three years, according to the latest Ifo Institute survey. The business climate index for housing construction rose sharply in September to -21.8 points, up from -26.4 points in August, marking the...

Read more


Winter Sports Face Reality Check with Roller Biathlon Exhibitions

2025-10-20T11:54:26.378Z

The International Biathlon Union is confronting climate change head-on with experimental roller-ski competitions, staging the Loop One Festival in Munich's Olympic Park as both a public showcase and practical preparation for potentially snowless winters. Top athletes from around the world...

Read more


German Industrialist Clashes with Town Over Traffic Calming Measures

2025-10-20T11:56:19.362Z

The small German municipality of Schwanau in Baden-Württemberg has become the unlikely stage for an escalating conflict between local government and one of the region's largest employers. The dispute centers around approximately 20 flower pots installed by the municipality two months ago...

Read more


Holcim to Acquire German Building Materials Firm Xella in €1.85 Billion Deal

2025-10-20T11:54:04.800Z

Swiss cement conglomerate Holcim has agreed to acquire German building materials manufacturer Xella for €1.85 billion, marking a significant strategic move in the European construction sector. The transaction, announced on Monday, is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2026,...

Read more