Changes to lotto may affect collection of winnings

Changes to the National Lottery may cause problems for punters who have yet to collect their winnings as local retailers switch over to a new payout system.

Upgraded terminals have been installed in shops nationwide — retailers are expected to operate a dual system for a time, using both old and new terminals, but the cut-off date for this is at the discretion of the outlet.

Once shops remove their old terminals, winning lotto tickets and scratch cards from the previous system can no longer be redeemed, despite being valid for 90 days.