What Powerball winners really do with their winnings

Media Release 13 April 2016

What Powerball winners really do with their winnings

As Kiwis around the country imagine what it would be like to win $20 million with Powerball tonight, 10 lucky players this year have already discovered how it feels to become instant millionaires thanks to Lotto.

These winners are part of an exclusive club of more than 530 Kiwis who have become millionaires since Lotto began in 1987, including three New Zealanders who have won big with Powerball so far this year.

But once their winnings are safely stashed in their bank account, what do Powerball winners do with their winnings? It turns out that most people look after their stomachs first, with many winners splashing out on food or wine after finding out they’ve won big.

While some winners treat themselves to champagne and fine-dining, others’ tastes are more simple, with pies and fries being their meal of choice – even for winners with $7 million in the bank.

“We’re going to celebrate as a family with fish and chips on the beach – we just want to keep things simple,” said a Tauranga family who won $7.1 million with Powerball in February.

With their appetite’s satisfied, winners turn their attention to the bigger purchases, beginning with their home. 38% of big winners spend some of their winnings on paying off the mortgage, renovating their house – or buying the home of their dreams.

“We’ve always dreamed of owning a bit of land of our own, so splashing out on the farm of our dreams is top of our list,” said a Timaru family who won $7 million with Powerball in January.

But while Kiwis dream of upgrading the house, car or jetting off on an overseas holiday, it’s helping people that tops the list for most big winners – more than half of major prize winners share their winnings with family, friends and charities.

A lucky couple who won $7.5 million with Powerball in December couldn’t wait to share their good fortune around their local community.

“We have some favourite charities that we will give extra support to including World Vision, Kids Can and the Salvation Army. Winning this amazing prize means we can be Santa’s helpers for the rest of our lives and who wouldn’t want that amazing privilege,” the winner said at the time.

Lotto players can buy a ticket for tonight’s $20 million Lotto Powerball draw from any Lotto retailer or online at MyLotto.co.nz.

Background:

Powerball wins in 2016

ENDS

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