Santa has granted a young Melbourne man and two Rockhampton grandparents the ultimate Christmas wish this year in the form of a winning Powerball ticket.
The newly crowned multimillionaires will split the $100 million prize pot, taking home a cool $50 million each.
A mystery Melburnian has won $50 million.
The Queensland couple, who had registered their ticket, were contacted by The Lott officials immediately but the Victorian winner, who bought his ticket a Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, did not come forward until mid-morning.
“You’re joking!” the winning grandmother said as she was told the news of their $50 million windfall in a phone call from The Lott immediately after Thursday night’s draw.
“I expected you to ask if we have solar panels, not to tell us we’ve just won $50 million ... I’m in a total state of shock.
“There’s going to be a few more pressies under the tree on Christmas day.”
She said the couple was looking forward to being able to help the family, though she wasn’t sure they would believe the news.
Hours later, a Preston man aged in his 20s came forward to claim his prize. He said he had barely slept on Thursday night after checking his numbers straight after the draw.
“I’m speechless right now. I can’t wrap my head around it,” he said. “I’m hoping to have a good sleep tonight seeing as I barely got any last night after checking my ticket.
“It was impossible to sleep once I realised that I’d won $50 million!
“Funnily enough, this was my first time playing Powerball. I’ve played a few other lottery games in the past but never Powerball.”
He said he would continue to show up to work but would help his parents to retire immediately.
The winning numbers were 22, 10, 4, 31, 1, 26 and 9. The Powerball number was 14.
AAP
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