Local Prize Bond-holders banked €1.7m during 2010

Meath residents are some of the luckiest people in the country, having won over €1.7 million with Prize Bonds in 2010. Local residents won over 10,200 prizes with Prize Bonds last year, it was revealed at the Prize Bond Company's annual results announcement last week. One lucky Meath Prize Bond holder even won the monthly star prize of €1 million. Cash prizes awarded to Prize Bond holders nationally reached a record high of €36 million, an increase of 29 per cent on 2009. This is the highest value of prizes awarded in any year to date. Nationwide, gross sales in 2010 totalled €398 million, the highest sales of Prize Bonds of any year to date. This represents an increase of 7.8 per cent on the peak gross sales in 2009 of €370 million. John Daly, chairman of the Prize Bond Company, said: "Congratulations to Meath Prize Bond holders who, collectively, won over €1.7 million in 2010. We are pleased to report that 2010 was yet another record year for Prize Bonds, building on significant growth achieved in 2010." At the end of 2010, unclaimed prizes built up over the past 53 years amounted to €1.66 million. The top unclaimed prize is for €20,000. Over 75 per cent of unclaimed prizes are €250 or less. Unclaimed prizes are held indefinitely until claimed by a prize winner and, after six months, earn interest for the prizewinner. All prizes are listed on www.StateSavings.ie and can be checked by telephoning State Savings on 1850 30 50 60. Commenting on the unclaimed prize fund, Mr Daly added: "The main reason for unclaimed prizes is where customers have changed their address without notifying us. We would encourage Meath Prize Bond holders to check their bond numbers to see if they can claim a share of the unclaimed prize fund. No matter how long ago the prize was won, winners are still able to claim their prize."