It seems incredible, but sometimes people forget to claim their prizes, or don't even realize they've won. In the third millennium competitions, approximately €31 million in prizes have gone unclaimed. The record, according to the Agimeg agency, is held by the 2008 edition, when the €5 million first prize was not claimed.
In that case, the Customs and Monopolies Agency decided to award two first prizes of 5 million in the following edition. This was the only case in the history of the Lottery, of two first prizes awarded. But it doesn't end there. In 2015-2016, over €2,9 million was 'forgotten', including the €2 million second prize won in the province of Caserta. But in 2012, there was also a sensational case of forgotten prizes.
The €2 million second prize was never claimed, and a total of nearly €3 million was left in the state coffers. In 2014, €1,7 million was forgotten, including the fourth prize in L'Aquila. In last year's edition, however, Italians were less forgetful. No first-category prizes were forgotten, but "only" 18 prizes worth €420.000 were unclaimed out of a total of €195 up for grabs.
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