19 April 22

$100,000 Instant Scratch-Its win hides in Maroochydore man’s pocket for more than a month

By Anna Hobdell

Updated 19 April 2022 - 3:56 pm,

first published at 19 April 2022 - 3:56 pm

A Maroochydore man has promised to always read the instructions in future after carrying his $100,000 winning Instant Scratch-Its ticket around in his pocket for more than a month.

The top prize winning $5 Pirate’s Chest Instant Scratch-Its ticket was purchased at IGA Express Maroochy Waters, Shop 6, Maroochy Waters Shopping Village, 10 Denna Street, Maroochydore.

Confirming his win with an official from The Lott today, the Sunshine Coast winner confessed while he was still in shock, the win couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I bought and scratched the ticket over a month ago and thought I hadn’t won anything, or if I had, that it wasn’t very much,” he said.

“If I’d read the instructions correctly, I would have known, but I think I just got carried away in the moment when I was scratching away and didn’t realise what had happened!

“It just stayed in my pocket for a long time, and then when I went to get it checked, they told me I’d won a major prize.

“I couldn’t believe it when it was $100,000!

“This win has come at a great time for us. I’m about to finish building my dream home, so this will help me complete it.

“I’ll also be able to take my partner on the trip overseas that we’ve always dreamt about.

“My advice now is always read the instructions before you scratch! I know I will.”

In 2021, there were 157 Instant Scratch-Its top prize winners across The Lott’s jurisdictions who collectively took home more than $10 million in top prizes.