$9.9 Million Lotto Win Claimed By Wellington Man

$9.9 Million Lotto Win Claimed By Wellington Man

After a "sleepless night", a Wellington man came forward early Sunday morning and claimed the $9.9 million he won in Saturday night's Christmas Day Lotto draw, New Zealand Lotteries Commission Acting Chief Executive Quinton Hall announced today.

The lucky player has taken home a total of $9,970,845. This is made up of $9,485,956 from Powerball and $484,889 from being a Division One Lotto winner.

This is the largest prize ever won by a Wellington player, and one of the largest prizes ever won by a single ticket since Lotto began in 1987.

The player, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that after a sleepless night he was "thrilled and excited" to confirm his win.

Mr Hall says New Zealand lotteries is delighted for this week's winner.

"I understand that he's a regular player and we're absolutely delighted that he's won such a substantial prize. With a total prize pay-out of $9.9 million, this is one of the largest prizes ever won by a single ticket, and the largest Powerball jackpot ever won in Wellington."

"The largest prize ever won by an individual ticket was $14,763,254, won in April this year from a ticket sold in Kawerau. That winner took home $14,513,254 from Powerball and $250,000 from being a Division One Lotto winner.

Other big wins have included an $11.4 million prize that went to a ticket bought in Hokitika in November 2002. Rounding out the top individual lottery prizes ever won in New Zealand are $9.8 million from a ticket bought in Wanganui in May 2003 and $8.2 million from a ticket bought in Whangarei in June 2001.

Mr Hall says another Wellington ticket, which won the $543,425 Strike 4 jackpot, is still to be claimed.

The winning Powerball jackpot ticket was sold at Kirbies Candies in the central city and the Strike 4 ticket was sold at Newlands Pharmacy.

ENDS

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