From sending friends anonymous bank cheques to upgrading wedding rings, Aussie division one winners have revealed some of the unique ways they’ve enjoyed their lottery fortunes.
In the 12 months ending 31 December 2022, there were 508 division one winning entries across the country and across all lottery games that collectively delivered more than $1.67 billion in division one prize money.
The Lott’s Annual Winners Report, drawing on surveys of last year’s division one winners at The Lott, highlights the rollercoaster of emotions winners sometimes feel – from shock and disbelief to immediate celebration.
The report’s release comes ahead of Thursday’s $100 million Powerball draw. The $100 million prize is the equal biggest jackpot offered by any Australian lottery game so far this year. It’s also the equal fifth-biggest jackpot in Australian lottery history.
Up to half of Australian adults are expected to have an entry into the draw.
The last time there was a Powerball division one winner was on 22 June, when a Bankstown dad pocketed $100 million and became Australia’s second-biggest individual lottery winner.
The Lott’s Annual Winners Report showed that it may one day pay to answer your phone on the first ring.
More than a third (35%) of division one winners discovered their good fortune by receiving a phone call from The Lott. Another 27% found out via their online The Lott account or from a notification email.
- “I was shocked, overwhelmed and emotional. I said it was something that happens to other people.”
- “Disbelief. I cried as I couldn’t believe my luck.”
- “I remember saying how cruel it was to receive this (scam) call on a Monday morning when I was getting ready for work. LOL! But when I discovered it was real, my body went numb.”
- “I said, ‘We did it, girls, we did it!” to my cats!”
- “I’d just like to send gratitude and thanks to my nan, who gave me the winning numbers from the other side in a psychic reading and told me how to play it.”
Investing money for the future (56%), helping family and friends (49%) and paying off the mortgage/buying a new house (48%) were the top three plans made by division one winners. However, many found unique uses for their windfalls:
- “I have sent a couple of bank cheques to friends anonymously. I have also upgraded a friend’s trip to Business Class, which they will only find out when they check in.”
- “I upgraded my engagement and wedding rings, and my husband bought a pinball game.”
- “Random acts of kindness… buskers, Big Issue sellers, etc. It’s worth the look on their face.”
While one generous winner said their prize had directly benefited up to 50 people. The average number of beneficiaries for each win was seven. More than a quarter of all winners (28%) shared their windfall with more than 10 people.
Separately, 12% of winners revealed they also used their prize to donate to charities close to their hearts.
Almost half (48.3%) of division one winners used their prize to enjoy a holiday within months of their win. From Tahiti to Turkey, some division one winners wasted no time exploring all parts of the world:
- “Going for a four-week holiday to Italy, Greece and Turkey.”
- “We went to Queensland to see the V8 Supercars, and booked tickets to Cape Town, South Africa.”
- “We are taking my wife’s mum on The Ghan as a Mother’s Day / 80th birthday holiday as she has always wanted to go on that train ride.”
Last year’s division one winners also had some advice for future lottery winners, including don’t rush into anything, plan for the future, enjoy the winning moment and help others.
- “I recommend sitting quietly and writing your wish list. I have a spreadsheet that I started the first night when I could not sleep for excitement.”
- “Enjoy the moment! It is a buzz and feels good to be able to help family and, for me, retirement and being able to stay home is priceless.”
- “I am hoping in the near future to be able to help others who aren’t so fortunate.”
- “Advice for others - you have to be in it to win it!”
The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said some winners had a physical reaction to their good fortune.
“Hearts racing, hands shaking, body going numb and feeling that they might be sick, major prize winners have shared all sorts of unexpected side-effects of their exciting news,” he said.
“Once the life-changing news has sunk in, most winners were keen to share the news with their nearest and dearest, including partners, immediate family, and close friends. Only 10% told absolutely no one about their win.
“When Australian division one winners tell us what they’ve done with their prize – from helping family members buy their first home to enjoying a holiday with friends – you immediately get a sense about who’s important in their lives.
“For Aussie winners, a big part of winning big is sharing with others, whether that be with their children, their grandchildren, their parents, their friends and even strangers in need of a helping hand.”
Mr Hart said Powerball could crown back-to-back $100 million division one winners if one person pocketed the entire jackpot this week.
“The last time there was a Powerball division one winner was on 22 June, when a Bankstown dad pocketed $100 million and became Australia’s second-biggest individual lottery winner. Could we have another $100 million winner this Thursday night?” he said.
Entries into the $100 million Powerball draw 1420 close at 7.30pm AEST on Thursday 3 August 2023.