Powerball Offers Biggest Prize Ever - $8.6 Million!
On Saturday 16 November 2002, a lucky customer could win New Zealand’s biggest ever Lotto Powerball prize, because
Powerball has jackpotted to a massive $8.6 million.
“Since the game was launched in February 2001, the top Powerball prize has gone as high as $8 million. Powerball has
already made 7 multi-millionaires - including a $6.8 million Auckland winner and an $8.3 million Whangarei winner,
according to New Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZLC) Acting Chief Executive Warren Salisbury. “Powerball is totally
unpredictable; because it is a jackpotting game, you just never know when it’s going to be won. This weekend will see
New Zealand’s biggest ever prize on offer,” says Warren Salisbury. Since Powerball was introduced 92 draws have been
conducted and a total of 190,000 prizes have been won, amounting to $76.6 million in prize money.
As well as the chance to win Powerball’s top prize, a Lotto Millionaire is guaranteed to be made this week. On 23
October 2002, NZLC announced changes to the Lotto game to create 50% more winners and a millionaire every week. Two
Lotto Guaranteed Millionaires have now been made - in Whakatane and Invercargill and over 190, 000 Lotto prizes have
been won in the last two weeks – that’s over 30, 000 more winners each week compared to the previous game structure. As
a result of the changes to the Lotto game, there are now also more chances to win Powerball. “So a lot more New
Zealanders are now winning with Lotto and with Powerball,” Warren Salisbury added.
“This is a really exciting week to play. We guarantee to make another Lotto Millionaire and someone could win
Powerball’s biggest ever prize of $8.6 million.”