Biggest Prize In Lotto History Up For Grabs

MEDIA RELEASE

25 August 2003

Biggest Prize In New Zealand’s History Up For Grabs This Week

Someone’s shopping list next week could include a small island in the Pacific, as on Saturday 30 August 2003, one lucky customer could win $11.65 million - New Zealand’s biggest ever Lotteries prize.

According to the New Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZLC) Chief Executive Trevor Hall, Powerball has now jackpotted to a massive $11.5 million, superseding the country’s largest ever win of $11.482, 824 in Hokitika last November (2002).

“Last weekend’s sales for Powerball were the highest ever – the country is in the grip of ‘jackpot fever’ and its going to get stronger and stronger as the week progresses.”

“Our Hokitika win, was a combination of winning both Powerball and Lotto first division, but if the mega jackpot was struck this weekend and if our winner became Lotto’s guaranteed millionaire as well, they could actually take home a very healthy $12.5 million in total – either way it will be the biggest prize in New Zealand’s history,” says Trevor Hall.

“Since the game was launched in February 2001, we have made 14 multimillionaires; the last one went to Ashburton in June this year winning $3.4 million and prior to that the second biggest prize a grand total $9.6 million (Powerball and Lotto) sold in Wanganui in April.”

“It’s an extremely exciting time for our customers and staff and the anticipation will definitely grow every day as we get closer to the weekend.”

“Everyone can have the chance to dream, and everyone is in with a chance to win – it is totally unpredictable you just never know when it’s going to be won, but this time when it is won it’ll be New Zealand’s richest ever Lottery winner,” says Trevor Hall.

ENDS.

* On June 30 2002, the Powerball game was amended to remove the maximum number of weeks the game can jackpot for and as a result, it can now jackpot for as many weeks as it takes for it to be won. The NZLC’s published policy is to allow the top prize to jackpot to $15 million before forcing a winner if the top prize is not won. 132 Powerball draws have been conducted with a total of 328,000 prizes won, totalling $117.8 million in prize money

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