Powerball pandemonium: Half of the Australian adult population set to buy a ticket for $150m prize

Almost half the Australian adult population is expected to have a ticket in Thursday’s potentially record-breaking $150 Powerball lotto.

The jackpot is the equal third biggest Lotto prize pot in Australia, with a $200m in February and a $160m draw in 2022 being the country’s biggest ever.

If a single division-one winner takes home the cash, they will become Australia’s biggest Lotto winner, seizing the mantle from a Sydney nurse who pocketed $107m in 2019.

The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell said: “We expect up to half of Australian adults to have an entry into the $150 million Powerball draw with many Aussies hoping to tick some amazing aspirations off their bucket list.”

Ms Hobdell said while most division one winners purchased a new home, enjoyed a lavish holiday, and helped family and friends, some winners weren’t afraid to step outside of the box and indulge in some rather unique plans.

“We asked last year’s division one winners what they did with their prizes and the top responses were: Investing money for the future (52 per cent), helping family and friends (40 per cent), buying a new car (35 per cent), paying off the mortgage (26 per cent) and buying a new home (26 per cent),” she revealed.

One previous winner said they used the new riches to pay for: “A cruise for the whole family for one week after Christmas… 38 people.”

Another winner said they: “Went to the Monaco Grand Prix. Always been a life dream to do so.”

Ms Hobdell said: “Of course, everyone has their own unique dreams and Aussie division one winners have shared the varied ways they used their prize to enjoy life to the full, help others or just simply relish buying those things that were previously out of reach.”

The Lott says newsagencies across the country will be very busy as they deal with such a large number of potential winners.

“We can’t wait to see if we’ll be calling anyone on Thursday night to let them know they’ve scored a life-changing division one prize’: Ms Hobdell said.

The numbers

From the main barrel, where seven winning numbers are drawn from 35, The Lott said the most frequently drawn numbers are 17, 7, 3 and 9, while the least frequently drawn are 33, 15, 31 and 26.

For the separate Powerball barrel, where a single Powerball number is drawn from 20, the most frequently drawn Powerball numbers are 2 and 4, while the least frequently drawn Powerball numbers are 14 and 16.

Those wishing to try their luck at winning the $150 million Powerball draw 1462 will need to purchase a ticket by 7.30pm AEST.