Lotto jackpots to $34m, luckiest shops named

File photo / Daily Post

One lucky punter could walk away with $34 million this weekend after the `must win' Powerball jackpot was bumped up because of the high number of ticket sales.

New Zealand Lotteries has increased the minimum jackpot from $32 million to $34 million.

"Our Lotto retailers have reported huge interest from customers, which has prompted this jackpot increase. A must be won draw attracts a lot of people who don't normally play Lotto to try their luck and buy a ticket," NZ Lotteries chief executive Todd McLeay said.

The last Powerball `must be won' draw was in October 2008 when retailers sold 2.3 million tickets. Similar sales are expected this week.

If first division is not won this week, the prize pool will be shared in the next division down where there are winners.

Mr McLeay encouraged customers to play responsibly as they did not need to spend heaps to have a chance at the big prize.

New Zealand's luckiest selling Powerball stores are both in Auckland - Countdown Lynfield and Manukau City have both sold three Powerball first division winning tickets.

In the South Island, Hokitika New World sold the first-ever and biggest Powerball prize for that region with an $11.4 million winning ticket.

- NZPA