Man Wins Top Instant Kiwi Prize Twice In Six Weeks

Media Release
21 January 2005

DREAM DUNEDIN LOTTERY RUN TOPPED OFF BY MAN WINNING TOP INSTANT KIWI PRIZE TWICE IN SIX WEEKS

Dunedin Lotto and Instant Kiwi players have started the New Year with a dream run as a Dunedin man has won a top Instant Kiwi prize twice in six weeks, a Dunedin ticket took a share of First Division last week and a Dunedin couple will spin the Winning Wheel on Saturday night, New Zealand Lotteries Commission Chief Executive Trevor Hall said today.

"From time to time cities, regions and even individuals seem to have a run of luck with top prizes and right now Dunedin has its share", said Mr Hall.

A Dunedin Instant Kiwi winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, is still 'in shock' but patting himself on the back for following his 'gut instinct'.

In late November he was walking past a Lotto store and bought a $3 Instant Kiwi Crossword ticket on an urge. He won $50,000 on the spot.

Recently the man, who doesn't describe himself as a regular player, again trusted his instinct.

"I had a dream that a family member won $100,000 on an Instant Kiwi", he said. "I cashed in another winning Crossword for $5 and bought a $5 Double Crossword and won $100,000."

After clearing some debts and donating money to a charity for victims of the Boxing Day tsunami, he's planning some travel and looking to buy his first home.

Last week a ticket bought at Centre City New World took a $675,720 third share of First Division along with winners from Levin and Pukekohe. The prize was claimed on Thursday.

"Otago is one of the luckier provinces for Winning Wheel with three winners from the 25 lucky Lotto players to take a spin so far," said Mr Hall.

The New Years Day draw produced a Winning Wheel serial number from Mosgiel. The winners, Penny and Murray Holgate from Ocean View, will be appearing on the live Lotto draw at 8pm on TV2 this Saturday night to spin to win up to $1 million.

Wallace and Colleen King from Cromwell won the first equal top prize so far - a $500,000 house and land package and Robert Coates from Oamaru won $100,000 cash.

Since Lotto first went on sale on 22 July 1987, Otago has had more than 5 million Lotto winners winning more than $164 million in total.

In the 2003/2004 financial year, community groups in Otago received $1,565,639 or 3.8% of the total money distributed by the Lottery Grants Board.

ENDS

About NZ Lotteries:

NZ Lotteries (New Zealand Lotteries Commission) was established in 1987 and operates in the New Zealand market as a crown entity under the Gambling Act 2003. Its purpose is to provide safe gaming that allows New Zealanders to play and win and contribute money back to New Zealand communities. For more information: www.nzlotteries.co.nz

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