Media Release 12 September 2005 For Immediate Release
THE SEARCH IS ON FOR WINNER OF RECORD $15.2 MILLION POWERBALL PRIZE
The record $15.2 million Lotto Powerball jackpot prize won on Saturday night hasn't been claimed yet, says New Zealand
Lotteries Commission (NZ Lotteries) Chief Executive Trevor Hall.
"After the big result on Saturday, the search is now on for New Zealand's newest multi-millionaire," says Mr Hall.
The ticket was bought from Amigo's Paper Power & Lotto in Mt Roskill, Auckland and the prize will be the biggest ever paid out on a single ticket.
"One of our players may not even know yet that they've won. Anyone who bought a ticket for Saturday's draw at Amigo's
Paper Power & Lotto should keep it safe and get it checked," says Mr Hall.
"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 Hall.
The owner of the ticket will take home a total of $15,233,068, made up of $14,500,000 from Powerball and $733,068 from
being a Division One Lotto winner.
"The win will certainly be a life-changing experience for whoever has the winning ticket," he says.
Mr Hall 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 $14,763,254, won in April last year
with a ticket bought in Kawerau.
ENDS
About NZ Lotteries:
NZ Lotteries (New Zealand Lotteries Commission) was established in 1987 and operates in the New Zealand market as a
crown entity under the Gambling Act 2003. Its purpose is to provide safe gaming that allows New Zealanders to play and
win and contribute money back to New Zealand communities.
For more information: www.nzlotteries.co.nz