WA’s $40 million Powerball winner has discovered their incredible win after having initially forgotten he had purchased a ticket in the draw.
The Swan Valley father bought the ticket, a Slikpik 18, from Springs News in Bennett Springs just an hour before draw close as a spur of the moment decision.
After unknowingly walking around with the winning ticket in his pocket for the past week, the ticket holder finally remembered he had a ticket that needed checking.
“I was in complete disbelief and shock when the retailer explained I had the winning ticket,” he said.
While the news of the big win is still sinking in, the family enjoyed an initial celebration of fish and chips for dinner.
“We’re a tight family and will share the win together, making sure our kids and grandkids are looked after.”
Travel plans are also on the horizon for the family, with the ticket holder looking forward to flying business class.
“This has changed our lives,” he said.
Owner of Springs News, Milan Vuletich said he was flabbergasted after discovering his store had sold the $40 million prize.
“We’ve had a decent run in selling $1 million Division One prizes a few years back, but this $40 million news is something special,” Mr Vuletich said.
More than $6.7 million was raised for WA community groups over the four-week Powerball jackpot run.
In good news for Super 66 players, Lotterywest has increased the minimum Division One prize to $66,666 from $16,666 for the Super 66 game.
This increase to the minimum Division One prize follows a WA player taking home a $127,000 share of last Saturday’s Super 66 Division One prize, after purchasing the winning ticket from Katanning Lottery Centre.
So far this year, WA has produced 21 Division One Lotto winners who have shared more than $74 million in prizes.
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