A brief history of Lotteries throughout the ages. Video / NZ Herald
Two lucky Lotto players from the Waikato have split a $1 million First Division prize, with 13 others around the country receiving a five-figure cash boost in last night’s draw.
A life-changing $8m was up for grabs during Saturday’s live Lotto Powerball draw. But the top prize failed to bestruck, meaning it will now increase to $10m on Wednesday.
Saturday night’s lucky numbers were 9, 5, 31, 40, 21 and 15. The Powerball was 8 and the Bonus Ball was 25.
The biggest success was in Lotto First Division, with two punters splitting the $1m jackpot on offer.
The winners were both in the Waikato, with their tickets sold at Fresh Choice Ngāruawāhia and Four Square Paeroa.
Last night’s Lotto Second Division draw also delivered a sweet surprise for a further 13 players, who each took home $20,492.
Six of the winners purchased their tickets through the MyLotto app, while the remaining seven bought theirs in-store at Pak’nSave Mt Albert, Kingston Food Centre, Pak’nSave Ormiston, New World Broadway, Pak’nSave Richmond, Fresh Choice Westport and Four Square Port Chalmers.
Thirteen Second Division winners each took home $20,492 from last night's live Lotto draw. Photo / Lotto NZ
Strike Four wasn’t struck, meaning it will roll over to $1m on Wednesday.
The husband, married to his wife for nearly 40 years, received the news just before Christmas.
“I had no symptoms of cancer at all, the doctors were extremely shocked when the results came through, and it was a hell of a shock to me,” he said.
The pair watched the January 3 draw with the same numbers they had on their tickets for the past 35 years and had joked about giving up the weekly ritual because they had never won big.
“We watched the draw and thought, ‘Oooh, we’ve probably got four numbers’.
“We didn’t think anything more of it until we could check it, and then there were tears and laughter.
“My hands were shaking and neither of us could sleep.”
The Powerball jackpot will roll over to $10m and Strike Four to $1m on Wednesday. Photo / NZH
What to do if you win
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.
