Ticket Still Unclaimed For Record Powerball Prize

21 May 2005

Winner Of Record $18 Million Powerball Prize Still To Claim Their Prize

The record $18 million Lotto Powerball jackpot prize won on Saturday night is still to be claimed, says NZ Lotteries Deputy Chief Executive Warren Salisbury.

"After the big result on Saturday, the search is now on for New Zealand's newest multi-millionaire," says Mr Salisbury.

The ticket was bought from Kaeo Four Square in Kaeo, Northland, and the prize will be the biggest ever paid out on a single ticket in New Zealand.

"One of our players may not even know yet that they've won. Anyone who bought a ticket for Saturday's draw at Kaeo Four Square should keep it safe and get it checked," says Mr Salisbury.

"If they find they have won the big one, they should immediately write their name on the back of the ticket, keep it in a safe place and contact our Wellington office.

"We'd encourage them to get in contact with us first so that we can give them advice about how best to handle a win of this size. Other big winners have told us they've found our advice very helpful, especially during the first few weeks after the win, when they're coming to terms with their windfall," says Mr Salisbury.

The owner of the ticket will take home a total of $17,992,975, made up of $17,702,362 from Powerball and $290,613 from Lotto First Division.

"The win will certainly be a life-changing experience for whoever has the winning ticket," he says.

Mr Salisbury says it is not unusual for big winners to take some time to come forward and claim their prize. Tickets holders have 12 months from the date of the draw their ticket was entered into to claim their prize, but big winners usually come forward sooner.

Until this weekend, the largest Powerball prize ever won by an individual ticket was $15.2 million, won in September last year with a ticket bought in Auckland.

Four other Lotto First Division prizes from the weekend are also still to be claimed. The tickets were sold at Allen United Video & Lotto in Te Puke, Pain & Kershaw in Martinborough, Railway Bookshop in Otaki, and Pak N Save Richmond in Nelson, also won Lotto First Division in tonight's draw, winning $290,613 each.

ENDS

© Scoop Media