Lotto Makes First Weekly Guaranteed Millionaire

MEDIA RELEASE

3 November 2002

Lotto Makes Its First Weekly Guaranteed Millionaire

On Saturday November 2nd 2002, just after 9pm TV2, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZLC) made it’s first Guaranteed Millionaire. The millionaire brought their ticket in Whakatane. Three other Division One winners, sold in Porirua, Hamilton and Auckland, each received quarter of a million dollars.

“We are delighted to have created our first Guaranteed Millionaire and to have delivered what our customers have been telling us they want – the opportunity to become a millionaire and more chances to win,” says NZLC Acting Chief Executive Warren Salisbury.

The new Lotto game structure took effect from 27 October 2002, whereby NZLC now guarantees to make a millionaire every week and 50% more winners. To create more winners a second bonus ball has been introduced. “We expect an average of around 25,000 to 30,000 extra winners each week. So a lot more New Zealanders will now win with Lotto,” Warren Salisbury added. In the first draw under the new rules nearly 100,000 Lotto winners were made across the six divisions.

“This is a new era for Lotto. We have an even better game and we look forward to creating another Guaranteed Millionaire next week and every week after that. And with Powerball at $7.5m this week we are also expecting to make one or more multi-millionaires in the weeks ahead. It really is an exciting time for us and our players.”

ENDS.

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