The man played the Harry Boy quick game, where the computer selects horses on the player's behalf. The computer guessed all winners correctly, and the winnings were transferred to his gaming account without his knowledge. The gaming company ATG tried to contact him but without success, and on March 9, the money was still untouched in his gaming account. According to Ilta-Sanomat, ATG's head of winner communication, Julia Björklund, suspected he had blocked her number and thought she was a telemarketer.
Nearly a month after the jackpot, the man contacted ATG. He had heard on the radio that the gaming company was looking for the winner but did not immediately understand it was him, and a glance at his gaming account revealed everything. According to Ilta-Sanomat, the man did not answer the phone because he was so sick and does not answer numbers he does not recognize, and he blocked the number because he did not know what it was about. It remains unclear what specific health issue prevented him from answering or how exactly he heard about ATG's search on the radio, such as the station or program involved.
I suspect he has blocked my number and thought I was a telemarketer.
The man is 93 years old, and according to Expressen Sport, his son said he was crazy. The man left the winning ticket on his birthday, adding a personal touch to the unexpected windfall. According to Ilta-Sanomat, the man said they have things at home that need to be fixed, and now it will be done without problems, though what specific repairs or items he plans to address with the winnings is not detailed. His full identity beyond 'Bertil' and being 93 years old has not been disclosed, and it is unknown how ATG initially identified him as the winner before attempting contact.
In historical context, the largest harness racing win to come to Finland is 2.75 million euros, won by a group from Mikkeli in 2013 in Norway at the Oslo track from a Toto75 round. In Finland's harness races, two million pots have been won over time, but those are also over ten years old. For example, in 2005 at the Tampere races, a Toto75 row returned 1,040,947 euros, and in 2012 in Kuopio, 1,012,439 euros.
I believe he still doesn't know he has won. I have never seen anything like this.
I didn't answer the phone because I was so sick. And I don't answer numbers I don't recognize.
I blocked the number because I didn't know what it was about.
We have things at home that need to be fixed, and now it will be done without problems.
My son said that I was crazy.