A single father was awarded the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation 50/50 raffle prize after putting his story on social media.
Clayton Hinkey, 36, attended the Oilers game on October 16, 2016 but had to leave early because his 4-year-old son got tired. He purchased the winning 50/50 ticket which ended up being worth $67,692.50.
He didn’t check his ticket until days later, after the 48 hour time limit to claim the prize had lapsed.
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation was unsure whether he would be granted his winnings. He put his story on social media begging for lenience.
The organization allows winners just two business days to claim the ticket. While other organization in the NHL allow much more time. The Calgary Flames allow the winner 30 days and the Vancouver Canucks give people 60 Days.
On Thursday, the foundation said they had reviewed the matter, consulting with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. The organization granted a one-time exception in this case.
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation said this is the first time they have encountered someone failing to claim the prize within the allotted time frame. One other time the prize was rolled over when no one ever came forward to claim it.
The foundation is using this case to educate the public on the 50/50 program rules going forward.
“We can’t speculate on what’s going to go on in the future, but we’re really taking this as an opportunity to educate fans and those people who participate in our 50/50 program,” Natalie Minckler, Executive Director of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation said. “So we’re taking this as an opportunity to educate them on exactly what the rules are in regards to our program.”
Hinkey plans to give half his winnings to charity. “One of my heroes, I think, is [businessman] Brett Wilson and he says you have to give back and in the past 6 months it’s been hard to give as much but you still try and $30,000 absolutely can afford that.”
With files from Dan Grummett
