Statistician Richard Arnold crunches the numbers behind New Zealand’s record-breaking $55 million jackpot.
Lotto has revealed where the three winning tickets from last night’s record-breaking “must-win” Powerball draw were sold, each taking home a share of the $55 million jackpot.
The prize pool was the largest in Lotto’s history - split between three lucky winners who each pocketed $18.3m.
The numbers in theSaturday night draw were 38, 28, 2, 5, 14, 19. The bonus was 29 and Powerball was6.
This morning, Lotto confirmed the winning tickets were sold at New World Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty, Pak’nSave Moorhouse in Christchurch, and through the MyLotto app to an Auckland punter.
Fifteen other Lotto players also scooped substantial prizes, taking home $55,556 each from Lotto First Division.
Those winning tickets were sold at the following stores: Four Square Coopers Beach; Auckland’s Rathgar Rd Discount Foodmarket and Rocky’s Superette; Pak’nSave Thames; Fresh Choice Ngāruawāhia; Hamilton’s Nourish Pantry; Pak’nSave Napier City; Pak’nSave Tamatea; Fresh Choice Geraldine; and Fresh Choice Roxburgh.
The winning Powerball tickets were sold in Kawerau, Christchurch and online in Auckland.
Three Aucklanders, a Palmerston North player and a person from Rangitīkei also scored their earnings through MyLotto.
Sixty-two other players also won $16,909 in Lotto Second Division.
Ten of those had an extra boost winning Powerball Second Division, increasing their prizes to $24,916.
Lotto NZ chief executive Jason Delamore described it as a “fantastic result” for the winners.
“It’s great to see the Powerball jackpot being shared among a number of players,” he said.
“A win like this doesn’t just change one life – it can transform families, friends, and even entire communities. Our winners often give back in incredible ways, from helping loved ones to supporting charities."
Three lucky punters are taking home $18.3m from the record-breaking $55m Powerball jackpot - the largest in Lotto's 38-year history. Photo / NZ Herald composite
Of Aotearoa’s 12 previous “must-be-won” draws, the top prize has been shared at a lower division seven times.
He told Herald NOW’s Ryan Bridge if two million players buy 10 lines each, there’s about a 30% chance of a single winner in Division One.
He said if there are four million players, that probably goes up to about 36%.
The winners of the last $50m jackpot told Lotto NZ the key was not to be changed by the sudden wealth.
They advised last night’s winners to “make sure you’re confident in the team you build around you – you have to trust they are giving you good advice".
Ticket holders can see immediately if they have won if they purchased a ticket through MyLotto. Prizes of $1000 or less are automatically credited to the account.
For prizes exceeding $1000, winners must complete an online prize claim form.
Winners with a physical ticket must still visit a Lotto retailer to claim their prize.
For the Powerball jackpot to be claimed, a ticket holder must get all six Lotto numbers correct as well as the added Powerball number.
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