Media Release 16 August 2008

Lotto Makes it a Super Saturday for Winners in Greymouth and Whakatane

The Beijing Olympics has its own super Saturday today but two lucky Lotto players who bought tickets in Greymouth and Whakatane will also be celebrating after winning $511,162 each with Lotto First Division tonight, says NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

The winning tickets were purchased at Greymouth New World and the Halfway Store in Whakatane.

Powerball has jackpotted this week, and will be worth an estimated $9 million in next Saturday's draw.

Strike Four was also not struck and jackpots to $600,000 next week.

"Anyone who bought a ticket at any of our winning retailers should write their name on the back of the ticket and check it as soon as possible," Mr McLeay said.

Auckland university professor Lawrence Pierce-Durance was tonight's other big winner, after spinning and winning $500,000 live on Lotto's Winning Wheel. Lawrence, who used to live in Auckland and is now based in the United States, makes frequent trips to New Zealand for his lecturing and other work at AUT.

All Lotto players are automatically in the draw to win the opportunity to spin Lotto's Winning Wheel, regardless of the type of ticket they buy. Players can check their ticket at any lottery outlet.

Tonight's Winning Wheel ticket was sold by Martina Four Square & Lotto in Thames and the serial number is 8083-39689770-20xx.

ENDS

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