‘You beauty!’: Aussie lotto winners reveal how they spent millions, The Lott’s 2024 report uncovers surprises

From bespoke leather shoes to hair transplants in Istanbul, Australia’s division one lottery winners have revealed the remarkable — and often unconventional — ways they’ve spent their windfalls.

A new report by The Lott has uncovered the spending habits, emotional reactions and life changes of winners in 2024, when 441 entries across all lottery games shared in more than $1.56 billion in division one prizemoney.

The Annual Winners Report, based on surveys of last year’s winners, found that most recipients described their win as “life-changing,” with many saying they used the money to relieve financial stress, support family and friends, and make smart investments.

“I felt a great sigh of relief that so much pressure to provide for my family had been lifted,” one winner said.

“Our future felt far more secure.”

While some prize money went towards new cars or property, others opted for more personal — and sometimes surprising — purchases: a 1936 Oldsmobile, electric mountain bikes, luxury watches for family members, and even a trip to Las Vegas for a friend’s Elvis-themed wedding.

One winner revealed they had a hair transplant in Istanbul to boost their self-confidence.

Many winners found out about their good fortune the traditional way, with 25 per cent receiving a phone call from The Lott and another 24 per cent checking their ticket online.

One recipient said they “yelled out, ‘You beauty!’ and scared the dog,” while another admitted they “spent most of the night checking my numbers.”

When it came to sharing the news, most were eager to tell close family and friends, though 8 per cent said they told no one at all. On average, six other people benefited directly from each winner’s prize.

Seventeen per cent of winners donated part of their winnings to charity, and nearly four in ten gave financial help to family and friends.

The majority put a portion away for the future.

“Made so many people’s lives better,” one respondent said.

“I was excited to think of all the ways I could help my family.”

The report also included reflections from one of Australia’s $100 million jackpot winners, who has since left Brisbane for a beachfront property and said her life has been transformed.

“We have purchased a place near the ocean on the coast and continue to create lifelong memories with our beautiful family and friends,” she said.

The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell said the most common advice from winners was to stay calm, take time to adjust and think carefully before making any big decisions.

“One winner summed it up best when they said, ‘Take time, there is no rush’,” Ms Hobdell said.