Special Draw Raises $8,248,300 for Christchurch Earthquake Appeal

There were 1.8 million tickets sold for this week’s special Lotto draw, which raised $8,248,300 for the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, announced NZ Lotteries’ Chief Executive Todd McLeay tonight.

Fifty percent of the sales of all Lotto, Lotto Strike and Lotto Powerball tickets entered into the 5 March 2011 draw will go to help the people of Christchurch.

The funds transfer will be made by NZ Lotteries to the NZ Lottery Grants Board on Thursday, after all sales are collected from Lotto retailers.

Lotto retailers reported a huge response from their customers for the special draw, many of whom bought two tickets for the draw – one for them and one for Christchurch. Several facebook groups were also set up to support the draw.

Under the Gambling Act 2003, NZ Lotteries can promote a ‘Special Purpose Lottery’ for a community purpose. This requires a written direction from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Nathan Guy.

“This special draw very much fits with the core purpose of Lotto, which is to raise money for the community,” says Mr McLeay.

Lotto Powerball was not struck tonight and now jackpots to an estimated $20 million for next week’s draw.

Five people have shared Lotto First Division in tonight’s draw, each winning a $200,000 First Division prize. Their tickets were sold at Unichem Bishopdale Pharmacy in Christchurch, the Quarry Store in Dunedin, Te Mata Four Square in Havelock North, Waterloo Lotto and Giftshop in Lower Hutt and The Cutting Bar & Lotto Shop in Manukau.

Strike Four was not struck tonight and jackpots to $300,000 for next week’s draw.

Meanwhile, Tutulelei, a security guard from Auckland spun and won $150,000 on the Winning Wheel at the live draw in Wellington this evening.

Tonight’s Winning Wheel ticket was bought at Cheviot Hardware in Cheviot, North Canterbury. The serial number was 013-60228365-20XX. This ticket gives a player the chance to spin and win a prize ranging from $100,000 to $1 million.

Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above winning stores should write their name on the back of the ticket and check it immediately at any Lotto outlet.
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