Controversy has erupted following the Mega da Virada lottery draw held on December 31, 2024, as Elza Jesus Almeida, 64, claims she has won over R$ 70 million but is facing challenges proving the validity of her ticket. The draw's results revealed the winning numbers to be 01, 17, 19, 29, 50, and 57. Elza is adamant about having made the correct wager, and her case has garnered attention not just for its scale but due to complications arising from the lottery process.
Following the draw, Elza approached both the police and the lottery retailer located in São Paulo to assert her claim, saying her ticket was not officially recorded. She alleged this lack of recording is not her fault, emphasizing her belief she fulfilled the necessary steps. The draw sparked excitement and confusion, prompting Elza's urgent quest for proof.
Elza's son has been actively involved, initially attempting to file a police report at the 16th precinct only to be rebuffed due to unclear grounds for suspicion of wrongdoing. His persistence saw him later succeed at the 35th precinct, where they filed what they referred to as "non-criminal" issues. "Depois de muito custo, a gente conseguiu," he remarked on their ordeal. This continued effort highlights the family's determination to retrieve the security footage from the lottery retailer to substantiate Elza's claim.
According to news reports, the lottery retailer's owner has agreed to help provide the recordings from the security cameras, which Elza's son hopes will strengthen their case. "Ele [dono da lotérica] vai disponibilizar as imagens das câmeras de segurança, vai me passar via WhatsApp," he stated, expressing optimism about the potential impact these visuals could have on their situation.
Elza asserts she made eight separate bets but insists only one—the fateful non-recorded wager—was the winning ticket. She claims to have received proof of her bets; unfortunately, she did not verify the numbers after making her selections. Later, realizing the winning combination matched her chosen numbers, disbelief turned to hope. Yet, what remains is the claim of legitimacy amid mounting pressure to provide documentation.
Despite the challenges faced by Elza, her story is not unique within Brazil’s colorful lottery world. Many groups participate collectively, pooling their resources to improve chances of winning. A noteworthy anecdote involves Saul Teixeira from Goiânia, who led 506 participants to successfully acquire smaller win amounts, translating to R$ 16,200 after hitting the quadra during the Mega da Virada. Although their winnings did not compare to the jackpot, the thrill of collective engagement persisted.
Saul's bolões (lottery pools) began modestly among friends and employees but has since exploded, collecting R$ 75,900 for the Mega da Virada draws, reflecting the shared dreams and desires inherent to participating. "Todo mundo ficou frustrado, Ave Maria," Saul expressed, reflecting the shared mixture of joy and disappointment when results hung below expectations.
Yet, the group remains undeterred; wearing hope as they calculate bets based on statistically favorable numbers. "Se eu abrir um bolão agora, junto R$ 10 mil, R$ 12 mil reais. O pessoal confia muito," Saul explained, noting the confidence among his bettors as they anticipate the next opportunity to strike it rich. The sentiment resonates with many across Brazil, as new numbers draw fresh dreams of victory.
The appeal of mega lotteries such as Mega da Virada lies not just within the prospect of life-altering winnings, but also the social aspect—they bring people together, whether through victory or shared disappointment. This communal aspect persists amid individual stories like Elza's, exemplifying the powerful draw of hope against odds often stacked against lottery players. Yet questions linger about transparency, documentation, and integrity—factors likely to influence future lottery events.