News / Local
Star Lotto rubbishes story that it has failed to pay $306k jackpot
06 Nov 2013 at 10:40hrs | Views
A LEADING gambling venture Star Lotto, which is owned by the wife of deputy Finance minister Samuel Undenge, Letina, has threatened legal action over a story published by Southern Eye that it has refused to pay a Bulawayo punter a whopping jackpot prize of $306 000 that he won in August this year.
Star Lotto has since dismissed the story as unfounded and uninformed.
The gambling establishment reportedly withheld Kumburai Ruguva's jackpot prize on the pretext that he should first submit an investment plan for approval to ensure prudent investment of his rich pickings.
However, Ruguva approached the High Court on Thursday seeking an order forcing Star Lotto to immediately release his windfall arguing that an investment plan was not part of the terms and conditions of playing the lotto.
In a press statement, Star Lotto wrote: "Further to an article published in the above stated daily newspaper (Southern Eye) and subsequently other online sites, this is to inform our valuable customers, stakeholders and the nation of Zimbabwe at large that we are committed to adherence with local and worldwide gaming rules and standards with regards our lottery.
"Investigation into the source of this unfounded and uninformed article indicates unbalanced reporting on the part of this media house as we were never contacted with regards the report," said the gambling house.
Its further says it has honoured all its claims to legitimate winners of lotto to date.
"Star Lotto has honoured all its claims to legitimate winners of our lottery game to date and shall continue to do so. It is our policy to protect the interests of our customers in remittance of winnings for varying reasons and as such we do not disclose details of such transactions to people that are not the legitimate holders of a lottery ticket and have rights to the claim."
The gambling house further stated that it shall be instructing its lawyers to protect its interests and good image.
"In the meantime Star Lotto (Private) Limited reserve its rights at law and shall be instructing its Legal Practitioners to protect its interests and good image."
Star Lotto has since dismissed the story as unfounded and uninformed.
The gambling establishment reportedly withheld Kumburai Ruguva's jackpot prize on the pretext that he should first submit an investment plan for approval to ensure prudent investment of his rich pickings.
However, Ruguva approached the High Court on Thursday seeking an order forcing Star Lotto to immediately release his windfall arguing that an investment plan was not part of the terms and conditions of playing the lotto.
In a press statement, Star Lotto wrote: "Further to an article published in the above stated daily newspaper (Southern Eye) and subsequently other online sites, this is to inform our valuable customers, stakeholders and the nation of Zimbabwe at large that we are committed to adherence with local and worldwide gaming rules and standards with regards our lottery.
"Investigation into the source of this unfounded and uninformed article indicates unbalanced reporting on the part of this media house as we were never contacted with regards the report," said the gambling house.
Its further says it has honoured all its claims to legitimate winners of lotto to date.
"Star Lotto has honoured all its claims to legitimate winners of our lottery game to date and shall continue to do so. It is our policy to protect the interests of our customers in remittance of winnings for varying reasons and as such we do not disclose details of such transactions to people that are not the legitimate holders of a lottery ticket and have rights to the claim."
The gambling house further stated that it shall be instructing its lawyers to protect its interests and good image.
"In the meantime Star Lotto (Private) Limited reserve its rights at law and shall be instructing its Legal Practitioners to protect its interests and good image."
Source - Byo24News
