$9.9 Million Lotto Win Claimed By Wellington Man
After a "sleepless night", a Wellington man came forward early Sunday morning and claimed the $9.9 million he won in
Saturday night's Christmas Day Lotto draw, New Zealand Lotteries Commission Acting Chief Executive Quinton Hall
announced today.
The lucky player has taken home a total of $9,970,845. This is made up of $9,485,956 from Powerball and $484,889 from
being a Division One Lotto winner.
This is the largest prize ever won by a Wellington player, and one of the largest prizes ever won by a single ticket
since Lotto began in 1987.
The player, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that after a sleepless night he was "thrilled and excited" to confirm
his win.
Mr Hall says New Zealand lotteries is delighted for this week's winner.
"I understand that he's a regular player and we're absolutely delighted that he's won such a substantial prize. With a
total prize pay-out of $9.9 million, this is one of the largest prizes ever won by a single ticket, and the largest
Powerball jackpot ever won in Wellington."
"The largest prize ever won by an individual ticket was $14,763,254, won in April this year from a ticket sold in
Kawerau. That winner took home $14,513,254 from Powerball and $250,000 from being a Division One Lotto winner.
Other big wins have included an $11.4 million prize that went to a ticket bought in Hokitika in November 2002. Rounding
out the top individual lottery prizes ever won in New Zealand are $9.8 million from a ticket bought in Wanganui in May
2003 and $8.2 million from a ticket bought in Whangarei in June 2001.
Mr Hall says another Wellington ticket, which won the $543,425 Strike 4 jackpot, is still to be claimed.
The winning Powerball jackpot ticket was sold at Kirbies Candies in the central city and the Strike 4 ticket was sold at
Newlands Pharmacy.
ENDS