An Adamstown man has had a birthday he will never forget, discovering he won one of the top prizes of $150,000 on an Instant Scratch-Its ticket he received as a gift.
The winning $10 Jumbo Crosswords Instant Scratch-Its ticket was purchased at Adamstown Newsagency, 259 Brunker Road, Adamstown.
Sharing his joy with a NSW Lotteries official this morning, the happy winner recounted how he discovered his instant windfall.
“I received the ticket as a birthday present from a friend,” he explained.
“I didn’t scratch it until about a week later. I don’t usually play Instant Scratch-Its so I thought I only won about $100.
“I took it to the newsagency and they told me my prize was too big to pay, so that’s when I knew I won something really good.
“I took it home and counted all the words and checked it, then checked it again and realised I won $150,000.
“I told my wife and we just looked at each other in shock.
“I couldn’t believe it! I thought I must be reading it wrong.
“I couldn’t stop shaking.
“It was an unforgettable birthday.”
When asked how he planned to enjoy his prize, the Newcastle man said he had a few ideas.
“I am going to put it towards the mortgage and take my family on a big trip to Asia,” he shared.
“It’s come at a great time.”
Adamstown Newsagency co-owner Stephen Evely said he was thrilled to have sold a winning top prize Instant Scratch-Its ticket.
“It’s great to hear we have helped deliver a major prize win to one of our customers,” he said.
“We have sold a few major prizes in the past and we hope this is the start of a winning streak.
“We wish our winner all the best and hope he enjoys his prize.
“Congratulations!”
Between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019, there were 118 Instant Scratch-Its top prize winners across the Lott’s jurisdictions who collectively took home more than $12.14 million in top prizes.
During this same time, 4,182,602 winners pocketed more than $214.2 million across all Instant Scratch-Its prize tiers.
Get more out of your Instant Scratch-Its by joining the Scratch eClub at www.thelott.com. The Club offers monthly Birthday Draws and Second Chance Draws, which give you another chance to win on your non-winning tickets.
The latest range of Instant Scratch-Its tickets are available now at NSW Lotteries outlets.
It can happen in an instant. It could happen to you.