‘Mr Lucky’: Melton man Phong Thai’s tattslotto winning streak

Already dreaming of buying a mansion, a private island or a sports car? One Victorian shop owner, dubbed “Mr Lucky”, may hold your best chance of winning the jackpot.

Dubbed “Mr Lucky”, Phong Thai has a better chance than anyone of selling Thursday’s record $200m Powerball if his past record of wins is anything to go by.

His shop, Melton Lotto & TSG, has already sold 63 division one tickets since it opened its doors 20 years ago.

Mr Thai has personally sold nine of those in the past four years and would love to sell the one that takes the cake this week.

“I buy lotto tickets all the time but I don’t win. When I sell them then I win,” he says with a smile.

Owner of Melton Lotto & TSG Phong Thai is known as Mr Lucky. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It’s been extremely busy. Usually it’s busy the day of a draw but people started buying the tickets for this one on Friday last week because it is so big.”

On Thursday evening he expects to see a line of customers outside desperate to get a ticket before the door close at 6:30pm.

Experts are predicting it is going to be busy in lotto shops across the country, with 7500 tickets sold in just one minute at 6:15pm for last week’s $150m draw.

When it comes to lucky numbers Mr Thai says he sees 8, 4 and 2 a lot so they are his lucky numbers.

The last division one winning ticket he sold was for Saturday’s TattsLotto draw in November.

“That lady also had number 8 as her lucky number too.”

What are the odds?

There’s more chance of dying in a plane crash or being eaten by a shark, but still half of all Australian adults are expected to have snapped up a ticket for the record $200m Powerball on Thursday night.

According to the odds there is a one in 134 million chance of picking the right numbers, but even with those odds lotto fever is taking over.

Lines were seen outside shops on Wednesday, and thousands of Victorians are expected to hit lotto stores across the state from this morning in the bid to snap up last-minute entries.

The frenzy will likely see a new record for ticket sales set.

Last week, when $150m was up for grabs, more than 7500 entries were purchased Australia-wide in just one minute at 6:15pm, which organisers expected to see again given the lotto mania.

No one won the $150m, jackpotting the draw to $200m this week. The biggest in Australian history.

The biggest draw previously was $160m, was snapped up by several winners.

The highest amount won by an individual is $107,575,649.08, paid out in 2019.

Numbers that are the most and least likely to be drawn.

Reportedly the inner-city Sydney nurse, who was the sole winner, continued to work despite her huge jackpot.

The Victoria the biggest division one winner was in Powerball draw in October last year which bagged a $60m prize.

Among the lotto players buying a ticket before the peak rush was Shane Spiteri, 33, a real estate agent from Melton.

“If I was to win I’d probably buy my own zoo with $200m and help as many people as I can.

“I’d would literally pay off my mum’s mortgage too,” he said.

Alice Kerr, from Brookfield also mused about what she would do if she won.

“I’d help out family and friends and go on the longest cruise you’ve been on in your life.”

The big draw has also brought new players to the game.

Sally, a 34-year-old lawyer from Glen Huntly, told the Herald Sun, “I’ve never bought a ticket before, but it’s $200m so it’s too tempting. I didn’t know what to ask for so I just got the smallest one. It’s a bit exciting.”

The Lott spokesperson James Eddy said the excitement about the draw was unprecedented.

“This Powerball roll has been one for the Australian lottery history books,” he said.

“It’s difficult to fathom a prize of this magnitude, but so exciting for Aussies to have the opportunity to change the course of their lives.”

The Powerball will be drawn at 7.30pm on Thursday.