Mega da Virada is a special drawing held on New Year's Eve every year. The drawing is extremely popular among Brazilians because of its large jackpot.
The decision is based on Article 14 of Law 13.756 / 2018, according to which lottery bet winners must redeem their prizes within a maximum period of 90 days. If the winner does not show up, the amount must be reverted to the Student Financing Fund (Fies).
"The text of the law is unquestionable: the payment of the prize depends on a claim by the contemplated bettor. To claim means to demand, press, exercise pretense. If not claiming within 90 days from the first disclosure of the result, the prize goes to Fies," says the decision.
The request was made in a popular lawsuit that did not have its author identified. In addition to requesting that Caixa not block the amount drawn at Mega, which amounts to R$ 162 million (US$28.5m), the action requested that the institution identify the winner. The magistrate also rejected that request.
"The duty to pay the prize does not have as factual support only the existence of a contemplated gambler: it is also necessary that the contemplated gambler asks for it. Imposing judicially on Caixa Econômica Federal the tasks of identifying the winner and paying the prize means legislating through transversal ways," says the decision.
Source: Revista Consultor Jurídico
