Powerball jackpot: Latrobe Valley man wins more than $20 million after last-minute ticket purchase
He said it was ‘the best phone call of (his) life’.
One person’s last-minute decision to buy a lottery ticket has changed his life.
A man from Latrobe Valley in Victoria’s Gippsland region purchased the winning ticket 35 seconds before the draw on August 13 closed.
The timestamp on the ticket was 7:29:25 and the draw closed at 7.30pm
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The single division one winner who took home the entire $20 million jackpot, with 20 division two winners, each taking home $25,539.
The man’s PowerHit entry also landed division two 19 times, bringing his total winnings to $20,485,253.35.
He said he was shocked to receive the call.
“Oh, happy days,” he said.
“Wonderful! That’s so cool! So awesome!
“You’re my new best friend!”
He said he did not usually play Powerball but with $20 million on the line, he thought he’d “give it a crack” and purchased his ticket on The Lott app.
“I bought the ticket with about a minute to go. I picked the numbers myself, a mix of one or two family birthdays and then a few random numbers,” he said.
“I can’t believe it. My wife is asking me if it’s real. She’s walking around the house and has poured herself a brandy.
“Just wonderful!”
He said the huge prize meant “everything” to his family.
“It’s a life-changing moment. This is the best phone call of my life,” he added.
“Well, I reckon an around-the-world trip is called for and after that some investment strategies to set the family up for the future.”
The winning numbers for Powerball draw 1578 on Thursday were 27, 6, 35, 17, 11, 15, and 26, with the Powerball number 11.
- With NCA
