NATIONAL LOTTERY PLAYERS who scoop more than €15,000 will not be able to collect their winnings because of Covid-19 restrictions, it has been confirmed.

Lotto bosses have warned that winners are prevented from travelling to its National Lottery headquarters in Dublin’s Abbey Street because of strict Covid-19 lockdown measures.

Players who win more than €15,000 will have to sit on their prize until the government eases its travel restrictions.

A spokesman for the National Lottery said they are encouraging winners to contact the claims team to validate winning tickets.

“Then we can keep them up to date on claiming when safe to do so,” the spokesman added.

“Additionally, we have also doubled our prize claims period to 180 days – normally 90 days – from date of draw to ensure as much as we can that players can claim prizes.”

It comes after a winner of the weekend’s €9.7 million Lotto jackpot was told they will have to wait for some time before collecting the multimillion-euro cheque.

The ticket for Saturday night’s jackpot was sold in Daly’s Supervalu in Killarney, Co Kerry, days after it sold a EuroMillions ticket that won €500,000.

A National Lottery spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have been contacted on Thursday afternoon by the lucky ticket-holder and arrangements are currently being made for the claim to be made once restrictions are lifted due to the ongoing public health emergency.”

Saturday’s €9,772,175 jackpot had been rolling over since February.