Media Release 28 November 2012

South Island Man Claims $20.5 Million Prize

A South Island man has come forward to claim his $20.5 million Lotto Powerball prize.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought his ticket on a whim whilst he was in Invercargill to participate in the Burt Munro Challenge.

“It was a spur of the moment decision to get a Lotto ticket,” he said. “I don’t play every week but I had a spare $20 in my wallet so though I would give it a go.”

The man then heard about the big Invercargill win on the Sunday and realised he had bought a ticket from the Windsor Stationery & Lotto store.

“I deliberately delayed checking my ticket as I wanted the magic of thinking I could be a millionaire to last a bit longer. I didn’t really think that I could be the winner, so I was completely stunned when I did look online and saw that I had right numbers.”

The man then rang his partner to share the good news. “She did not believe me. I do play the odd joke on her, so she originally thought I was having a laugh again.”

The man kept his $20.5 million ticket in his wallet, hidden in his sock drawer.

“I haven’t really been able to sleep – I kept getting up in the night to check that it is still there. It still feels a bit unreal really.”

The man has already contacted his bank and has been blown away by how much interest he will earn on his win.

“It’s enough for me and my partner to think about stopping work. Plus I can now really indulge my liking for vintage motorcycles. We also would like to plan some overseas travel – in style.”

The man’s winning ticket was sold at Windsor Stationery & Lotto. The Invercargill store has sold several winning tickets in its history, including two Strike Four prizes, six Lotto First Division prizes and one instant millionaire prize, as well as two Winning Wheel spinners.

ENDS

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