Media Release 5 March 2019
Bonus Ticket leaves Invercargill woman $500,000 better off
An Invercargill woman who forgot to buy her regular Lotto ticket is still reeling from the excitement of winning
$500,000 with Lotto First Division.
The regular Lotto player sat down to watch TV on Wednesday evening when she realised she hadn’t bought her ticket for
that night’s draw.
“I had it in my head that it was Tuesday and I was going to buy my ticket the next day,” the winner said. “So when I saw
the draw come on TV that I night I was kicking myself that I hadn’t bought my ticket – but then I had a bonus ticket,”
said the winner.
After quickly scribbling down the winning numbers, the woman went to hunt for the free ticket she’d won with her Lotto
ticket the previous Saturday.
“I looked at the first line of my Bonus Ticket and the numbers matched – it was as clear as day. I was absolutely
stunned – I just couldn’t believe it! I kept checking the numbers over and over again.”
After calling her daughter to share the great news, she tucked the winning ticket safely under her mattress.
“I couldn’t sleep at all that night – so many things were going through my head. I finally got up at 4am to check my
ticket again – and it was still a winner!”
The next morning, she was up early and headed straight to Pak N Save to get her ticket checked.
“The staff were so lovely and were as thrilled as I was – they were jumping up and down with excitement.”
With the winnings now safely in her bank account, the woman is looking forward to enjoying her winnings.
“There are so many things I want to do. Fix up the house, help out my family and do a bit of travel. I’m so excited to
finally do the things I’ve been putting off – I feel very, very lucky.”
The winning ticket was sold at Pak N Save in Invercargill for the Lotto draw on Wednesday 27 February.
ENDS