BBC News Online: UK

Public 'backs' Camelot over £3m refusal

Camelot revealed on Saturday that a poll supported its decision, although it refused to release any details of the data collected.

The case of Martyn and Kay Tott, from Watford, won the support of Culture Secretary Chris Smith after Camelot said they had missed the 30-day deadline for claiming lost tickets.

Camelot put the couple through seven weeks of waiting before apologising, but insisted it could not break the rules.

She said the aim of the survey was to "test public opinion" on the issue, adding that Camelot regularly carried out research on a variety of issues relating to the Lottery.

Unlucky

The Totts responded to an appeal by Camelot asking people to come forward and claim their prizes before the 180-day deadline.

The unlucky couple thought they qualified for their prize money, but discovered the rules for a missing ticket meant a claim had to be made within 30 days.

Investigations by Camelot and the Lottery Commission decided the rules could not be waived for them to pay up.

Camelot said even if public opinion had been in favour of paying the Totts, they would have been unable to do so.

A spokeswoman said: "We can't pay this claim, we don't have the power to do so within the rules of the game."