Southern Lotto players are amidst a winning streak after five majors prizes were won in the South Island so far this year, many of them in small towns.
"Following the life-changing $17.1 million won by a player at the end of 2019, First Division winning tickets have also been sold in Alexandra, Tuatapere, Wanaka and most recently Temuka. A player from Christchurch also won $600k with Strike First Division in January," said Lotto.
Lotto NZ head of communications and corporate social responsibility Marie Winfield said players in the South were experiencing an "amazing run of luck".
“What is notable is the number of small towns claiming huge prizes. It just goes to show that winning can happen anywhere and at any time.
“Powerball has jackpotted to a massive $30 million this week, and time will tell if the South Island will continue on its winning streak.”
The most recent Powerball prize was won at The Market Store in Twizel on 28 December. The winner of the $17.1 million jackpot waited three weeks to claim their prize.
A ‘lucky feeling’ led a Central Otago woman to purchase her first ever Lotto ticket last week. Remarkably, she won $500k on the first line of the first ticket she purchased at the Albert Town Four Square in Wanaka.
From a first-time player to one of the original players – an Alexandra couple who have been playing their own numbers with Lotto since it started in 1987, were shocked to find out that were starting 2020 $1 million richer.
In February, a Southland man turned $30 into $1 million when he won First Division after buying his ticket at the Tuatapere Four Square in Tuatapere.
He had kept a Lotto ticket in his wallet for three months before finally checking it and was pleased when he was told he had won $30. He used his winnings to purchase a Triple Dip ticket for the draw on Saturday 8 February.
In January, a Christchurch man struck it lucky when he won $600,000 with Strike First Division after he bought his ticket from Z Barrington in Christchurch.
The most recent millionaire from the draw on Saturday 15 February is yet to claim. They purchased their ticket at Village Post Temuka in Temuka.
The largest winner from the South Island in Lotto NZ history came in August 2018 when a young man from Central Otago claimed $22.3 million. If an individual player from the South Island wins Powerball tomorrow night, it will be a record win.
