Two Gawler mates win record $3.5 million Keno jackpot over a few beers at Kingsford Hotel

Two mates having a quiet beer at Gawler's Kingsford Hotel have won a record $3.5 million Keno jackpot. Photo / News Corp Australia

A pair of "laid back characters" heading for a quiet afternoon pint found a visit to their local more exciting than usual on Monday.

Longstanding friends won a Keno Spot 10 jackpot of AU$3,529,036.30 (NZ$3824771.99) at Gawler's Kingsford Hotel, 50km north of Adelaide's CBD.

"We've been buying Keno tickets jointly for a month or so. We stand right next to the machine and we just watch the Keno screen and have a chat," one of the men told local media.

"Last night, my mate turned to me and I think his immortal words were 'I think we got a few numbers in this one'.

"That's when we saw the jackpot message pop up on the screen saying the Keno Spot 10 Jackpot had been won at Kingsford Hotel."

After a quick scan of the bar, the pair realised they'd won big.

"So we just grinned at each other. It had to be us," a winner said.

"We had a few extra drinks and let it rip."

The winners plan to split the jackpot.

We're splitting it but I don't think either of us really know what we're going to do yet. It hasn't really hit home because we haven't seen the colour of the money," one said.

"We were joking on the way down to Adelaide seeing bulldozers and things, saying 'Ooohh, we could afford one of those now' but that's as far as it's gone.

"We'll let the dust settle a bit and then who knows."

The owner of the pub, Tony Harnett, said he has never seen such a big win.

"Not anywhere near that scale, maybe $10,000 but nothing like this," he told The Advertiser.

"Everyone was very pleased for the boys that they won, they're very good people in the community here in Gawler.

"The feeling was just exciting and it's still exciting."

"It's great to see it won by local members of our community and we know the win will make a tremendous difference to their lives," he said.