Search continues as mystery Sydney $100m Powerball winner’s big mistake revealed

Officials have revealed the simple mistake that has left them unable to contact the mystery winner of Powerball’s huge $100m jackpot.

One Aussie holds the ticket to an extraordinary $100m windfall - but almost a week after the draw, lottery officials still have no idea who it might be.

A single person scored last Thursday’s entire $100m Powerball jackpot, but they are yet to claim their life-changing winnings.

The only clue as to the winner’s possible whereabouts is their ticket being sold at Bondi Junction Newsagency & Internet Café.

Lottery officials are now urging players to register their tickets to ensure they can be contacted as soon as possible about their winnings, saying the $100m winner could already be celebrating their good fortune had their ticket been registered.

The Lott spokesperson Khat McIntyre said registering an entry with The Lott Members Club meant players were immediately told of any big wins and secured their prize.

“Even if you happen to lose or damage your winning ticket, if it is registered to you, you could still unite you with your prize, providing the ultimate peace of mind,” she said.

With only six Australians ever taking home a Powerball prize of $100m or more, one Sydneysider is unknowingly one of Australia’s biggest lottery winners ever.

Only six other Australians know what it feels like to win a $100m prize. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell earlier said the mystery player has six years to claim their winnings, but most division one winners typically make contact within a week or two.

“Someone out there is walking around with a ticket worth $100m, and they might not even know it,” she said.

Ms Hobdell said if the ticketholder doesn’t claim their prize, the money would be returned to the community.

“This can be with community donations, bonus draws and player promotions,”she said.

This isn’t the first time a major prize has been left unclaimed.

In 2018, the winner of a $55 million Powerball prize remained a mystery for 175 days, until a Melbourne player came forward to claim it.

The ticket was purchased at Scole Lotto & News, Shop 6, 90-106 Sydney Road, Brunswick.

Officials are using this case as a timely reminder for players to register all tickets so they can be contacted if they are a winner.

“This is also an important reminder for players to always register their lottery tickets to a player card or online account with The Lott Members Club, so if they are to score a major prize, we can reach out to them with the life-changing news,” Ms Hobdell said.

Bondi Junction Newsagency & Internet Café owner Manish said they hoped the whopping prize transforms the winners life “in a positive way”.

“This is by far the biggest winning entry we’ve ever sold,” he said.

“I’m hoping it’s one of our regular customers, but you never know it could be a tourist too. We’re located right next to the closest station to Bondi Beach, so you never know.”

The $100m Powerball is the third-largest jackpot offered by any Australian lottery game. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Officials are urging Sydneysiders to check their tickets and contact The Lott if they believe they’ve won the $100 million Powerball jackpot.

“There are 100 million reasons why Sydney’s eastern suburbs players should check their tickets today,” The Lott spokesperson Eliza Wregg said.

“With a winning entry tucked away in their car, wallet, or stuck on their fridge door, one New South Wales player is walking around completely oblivious to the fact their life has forever changed.”

The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1517 on Thursday 12 June 2025 were 28, 10, 3, 16, 31, 14 and 21. The all-important Powerball number was 6.

Originally published as Search continues as mystery Sydney $100m Powerball winner’s big mistake revealed