Batehaven’s missing millionaire has come forward to claim his $1.3 million Lotto payout.
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A Lotto spokesperson said the retired man came forward on Wednesday, February 22, after it occurred to him he should check his Saturday $20 Million Superdraw ticket.
The Eurobodalla man, who wishes to remain anonymous, plans to celebrate with a beer and a trip around Australia, the spokesperson said.
He was one of several people and a syndicate around Australia to share the division one prize and purchased his ticket from Batehaven Newsagency.
The retired man, who wishes to remain anonymous, explained that he had been driving around with the unregistered winning ticket in his car for the past few days, not knowing it was the key to claiming his prize of $1,333,381.94.
As the ticket was unregistered, NSW Lotteries officials did not know the identity of the winner. It was only when the man checked his ticket on Wednesday and contacted NSW Lotteries that his win was confirmed.
“That’s very nice. I’ll go have a beer now,” a Lotto spokesperson said the man had exclaimed after learning of his million-dollar windfall.
“It’s really turned my day around!
“I’ve been driving around with my ticket but hadn’t looked at it. Then I thought I’d go check it!
“I usually play every Saturday and always get a QuickPick, but this is the first time I’ve ever won anything. It’s a good win!”
Apart from celebrating with a beer, the man said he needed to share the exciting news of his win with his wife.
“My wife doesn’t know yet! I have to go tell her we’ve won.”
With the win still sinking in, the man explained that he wasn’t sure how he and his wife would use the prize money, but said travel was a definite priority.
“I want to see Australia first,” he said.
Batehaven Newsagency co-owner Pat Griffin said he and his staff were relieved the missing millionaire had been found.
“Congratulations to the winner. It’s great that it’s a player from the local region and I hope they enjoy their new windfall” he said.
“We’re excited to have sold another division one winning ticket. Our last one was in September 2014 so hopefully this is the start of a new winning streak for our customers.”
