A Nelson man has turned a $12 Lotto ticket into $16 million after scoring a win in last week’s Powerball draw.
“It’s incredible, I’m lost for words. It’s an amazing feeling because I never thought I’d win this sort of money. I’m so happy, I can’t believe it.”
He discovered his life-changing win when he arrived at a Nelson supermarket last Thursday with his ticket.
“I didn’t watch the draw on TV. I always go to the store the next day because I like surprises.
“I put my ticket into the machine and when I looked at the screen it said, ‘major winner’. My God, I was so excited!”
The winner said he buys a $12 ticket every Saturday and one on Wednesdays when the jackpot is high. “I never spend more than $12.”
However after the win, the man said he bought a bottle of wine for a small toast.
While he has not told many people about his win, the man has shared the news with family.
“I want to keep it a secret, but I’m going to share the winnings with my family.”
Last Wednesday, the man said when he saw the jackpot was $16 million, he said “I’m going to have a shot at this”.
“Sometimes I’ve won like $25 or $35, but I never thought one day I’d win the jackpot.”
While he is going to take financial advice in the coming weeks, the man said he has some ideas of where to spend some of the money.
“My dream is the dream of everybody, to buy your own house and pay it off, along with a new car. After that, I’ll probably buy a boat because I love fishing.”
“This is life-changing. I’ll remember the 10th of December 2025, for the rest of my life.”
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the Bondi hero speaks about his decision to confront a gunman, and an arrest after a famed Hollywood director is found dead. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME