Calgarian Curtis Geiger experienced a tumultuous week recently. After purchasing a 50/50 ticket at the Calgary Stampede rodeo on July 11, he was informed on Monday that he held a winning ticket worth $125,150. Geiger was in disbelief, even asking a colleague to verify the numbers for him. The prospect of potentially retiring earlier crossed his mind.
Upon promptly contacting the Calgary Stampede via email, Geiger was disheartened to receive a response hours later conveying that the 48-hour window to claim the prize had lapsed, and all prizes for the Show Band 50/50 had either been claimed or expired. This news was a significant disappointment for Geiger, leaving him frustrated with himself for missing the claim window and with the organization for the situation.
The Calgary Stampede, in a statement to CBC News, explained that the 48-hour claim period for the Showband 50/50 was a mandatory protocol outlined by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis authority. As Geiger contemplates his legal options, a Toronto-based lawyer, Farhad Shekib, suggested that there may be grounds for a breach of contract case regarding the clarity and fairness of the 48-hour window communication. Geiger intends to explore his legal avenues while also advocating to prevent similar situations for others in the future.
Geiger, who found the 48-hour window too brief, questions the handling of unclaimed prize funds by the Calgary Stampede, asserting that the process seems designed to avoid awarding prizes. The Stampede clarified that unclaimed prize funds are distributed as per AGLC requirements to the Stampede and the Calgary Marching Show Band Association. Geiger, still processing the turn of events, expressed his intent to seek legal recourse while raising awareness to prevent similar incidents from occurring.