From a rabbit’s foot and a cat’s whisker to ancient coins and thimbles collected from across the globe – superstitious Aussie lottery players have revealed the lucky charms they're hoping will deliver them a $100 million Powerball win on Thursday night.
According to a survey conducted by the Lott ahead of Thursday’s draw, about one-in-five Aussie lottery players admitted to being superstitious and would often refuse to purchase their lottery ticket without their lucky charm.
Up to one-in-three Australian adults are expected to have an entry in this Thursday’s $100 million Powerball draw, the second-biggest jackpot prize ever offered by an Australian lottery.
The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said some Aussie players weren’t leaving anything to chance and would be placing their trust in their lucky charms to try and make them a multi-millionaire this week.
“Around 20% of players surveyed, which included males and females across all age groups, told us they relied on a lucky charm and for some, it’s an item they’ve held onto for their entire life,” he explained.
“While some players place their trust in more traditional lucky charms, like a four-leaf clover, a horseshoe, or a spiritual figurine, others use more unique and personal items.
“One player said they always carried their lucky numbers scribbled on a decade-old napkin, another had collected their cat’s whiskers after they fell out, while one lady told us she always kept a piece of ginger in her handbag.
“Many admitted they'd never even think about leaving the house without their lucky charm and certainly wouldn’t buy a lottery ticket if they weren’t holding on to it.”
Furthermore, 42% of those players who did have a lucky charm said it had delivered them a lottery or competition win in the past. They also shared their special objects had previously helped them secure good carparks, land good jobs, find love, and keep them safe while flying.
Mr Hart said only time would tell if someone's lucky charm had helped them win Powerball's division one prize.
“On Thursday night, one or more lottery players across the country could be receiving a phone call with news they’re a division one winner,” he said.
“Whether you're superstitious or not, perhaps your best lucky charm for the chance to win a slice of the $100 million pie is to have a ticket in your hand before the draw's close at 7.30pm AEST.
“As this is the second-biggest Australian lottery jackpot ever, it’s going to be frenetic instore and online on the day of the draw so our best advice is to get your ticket early.
“If you win division one and want to receive that incredible phone call straight after the draw, register your entry to a player card so we can contact you directly with the life-changing news!
“If one player takes home the entire $100 million prize, apart from becoming an overnight multi-millionaire, they’ll also become the nation’s second-biggest individual lottery winner.”
In the 12 months to 30 June 2019, 10 Powerball division one winners across Australia pocketed $398,575,649.10 in prize money. This included one Sydney woman who in January scored a Powerball payday of more than $107 million – Australia’s biggest ever individual lottery prize.
The $100 million Powerball draw 1217 will take place on Thursday 12 September 2019.
Tickets can be purchased at any licensed lottery outlet, online from thelott.com or via the Lott mobile app.
The Lott’s division one winning tally across all Australian lottery games has now reached 260 so far this calendar year.
The sign of Australia’s Official Lotteries, the Lott operates and markets Australia’s leading lottery games customers know and love creating everyday winners, winning every day.
In the 12 months to 30 June 2019, more than 108 million winners took home more than $3.28 billion in prize money from their favourite games at the Lott, including Saturday Lotto, Monday and Wednesday Lotto, Powerball, Oz Lotto, Set for Life, Lucky Lotteries, Keno, Super 66, Lotto Strike and Instant Scratch-Its.