A Bendigo blue-collar worker has had a dream end to the working week, arriving home to the news he won $30 million in last night’s Powerball draw.
The Victorian player in his 50s held the only division one winning entry nationally in Powerball draw 1198, drawn Thursday 2 May 2019.
He is the first Victorian and fourth Australian to win a Powerball division one prize so far this year.
While a Tatts official had tried to deliver the life-changing news to the man all morning, it wasn’t until he had finished work for the day that he realised he was Australia’s newest multi-millionaire.
“I’ve just knocked off work and come home. My wife had just checked the ticket online and came screaming out the door. I said ‘don’t get your hopes up’, but I guess it’s true!” he laughed.
“I’ve never been a rich man and have worked hard all my life, so this is going to make a huge difference to us.
“It’s a lot of money! I don’t know what to say.
“I watch Millionaire Hot Seat every night and have always dreamt of being a millionaire.
“Other than my wedding day, this is the best day of my life!”
The regular player marked his entry with some “lucky” numbers he had been using for many years.
“The most I’ve ever won is $90 so I’ve never really thought of myself as a lucky man – only in life with my beautiful family – but now I guess I am,” he said.
“I might retire and go round Australia. We’ll have to buy a new car too. I’ve never owned a new car.
“We rent so I’d love to own my own house. I was going to buy a house with my super when I retired, but now I can finally buy my first home.
“I’m going to have to let this sink in a bit! It’s unbelievable!”
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his winning 7-game entry online at thelott.com – Australia’s official lotteries.
In 2018, there were 16 Powerball division one winning entries nationally that collectively took home $367 million. During this time, the biggest individual Powerball prize was $60 million, won by a man from Burleigh Heads in November.
The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1198 on Thursday 2 May 2019 were 4, 2, 11, 6, 9, 8 and 33, while the all-important Powerball number was 4.
Across Australia, there was only one division one winning entry in Powerball draw 1198 – the entry from Victoria.
The Lott’s division one winning tally has now reached 118 so far this calendar year, including 54 won by Tatts customers.