Jackpot Claimed From Ticket Bought By Mistake

$3.6 Million Lotto And Powerball Jackpot Prize Claimed From Ticket Bought By Mistake

The Lotto Powerball jackpot and a half share of the Lotto First Division jackpot sold at Pak N Save in Tauranga has been claimed, New Zealand Lotteries Commission Deputy Chief Executive Warren Salisbury announced today.

The lucky winner took home $2,506,293 from Lotto Powerball and $1,074,142 from Lotto First Division, a total of $3,580,435.

The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that they had intended to buy a Lotto ticket, but bought a Lotto Powerball ticket instead after pulling out a different 'pick your own numbers' coupon.

"I don't usually play Powerball until the jackpot is higher, but I gave my Powerball coupon to the Lotto retailer by accident and ended up winning the Powerball Jackpot," the winner said.

"Lotto Powerball is a game that offers big prizes regardless of whether it is in an extended jackpot period," said Mr Salisbury.

Mr Salisbury also noted that the large divisional prizes this week are a result of the recent changes to Lotto.

"First Division wasn't struck last week meaning it jackpotted to $2.1 million. Second Division winners collected $21,946, up from an average of $4,000 under the old game structure. And, Sixth Division winners would have been pleased to receive $27 for their winning tickets, up from $10."

Another popular change to the game has been Lotto's Winning Wheel, a new feature of the live Lotto draw each Saturday night at 8pm on TV2.

The third winner, Mrs Seprina Veatupu from Henderson, won $100,000 on this weekend's live Lotto draw.

"I thought it was going to stop on the $1 million but I'm rapt with $100,000," said Mrs Veatupu.

Although Mrs Veatupu's weekly Lotto numbers didn't come in, the serial number on her ticket for draw 894 made her a Winning Wheel winner.

Mrs Veatupu's husband Vaiola flew to Wellington to be with her for her Winning Wheel experience and was at Avalon Studio's for the live Lotto draw.

Mr Salisbury says six of the nine lucky winners drawn so far have had their winning tickets validated.

Peter McCabe was the first winner to spin the Winning Wheel, taking $250,000 home to Morrinsville. The following week Gareth Bungard from Greymouth drove away with a brand new Volkswagen Golf. Winners who bought tickets in St Lukes, Auckland and Oamaru will appear on the Lotto draw to spin the Winning Wheel in the next weeks.

The search continues for the remaining winning tickets sold at Green Bay Shell in Green Bay, Auckland, Raureka Lotto & Superette in Hastings and this weekend's winning serial number sold at Schofields Paper Power in Papatoetoe, Auckland.

"Winners get a welcome surprise when they check their ticket's unique serial number as Lotto's Winning Wheel gives players another chance to win regardless of whether they have won any other prizes on their Lotto ticket," said Mr Salisbury.

A minimum of one Lotto ticket serial number is drawn from all valid tickets each Lotto draw. The holder of a winning ticket then has the opportunity to come on the draw to spin and win cash and non cash prizes worth between $25,000 and $1 million.

As part of their prize, holders of a winning ticket are treated to a trip to Wellington with a friend, or family member, accommodation at the Duxton Hotel, a meal with a Lotto presenter and an optional mini make-over.

Winning Wheel ticket serial numbers still to be claimed:

Store Town Serial Number
Green Bay Shell Green Bay, Auckland 613 56063275 20XX

Raureka Lotto & Superette Hastings 626-27422219-20XX

Schofields Paper Power Papatoetoe 638-38157825-20XX

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