Two Powerball lottery ticket holders – one in NSW and one in Queensland – have won a share of Australia’s record $200 million jackpot.
A couple in the Hunter Valley town of Singleton picked up $100 million after winning the division one prize on Thursday night, lottery operator The Lott said.
The Queensland winner of the second $100 million jackpot is not yet known, with The Lott saying only that the ticket was bought at an outlet in the state’s south-east.
The Singleton couple had purchased a 50-game QuickPick entry – which costs $67.40 – online.
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $200 million after no one snagged the top prize for six weeks. Photo: AAP
The Lott said the two answered the phone call to inform them of their big win on the first ring, while lying in bed.
“Thank you!” the woman said.
“It’s a lot of money. A lot of money to fathom.
“I just had a look a moment ago and I instantly went ‘Oh my god.’
“I mean you joke about winning but never expect it to happen to you.
“I absolutely won’t be working anymore. I mean, honestly, do I really need to?
“There’s always a lot of hypothetical questions of what I would want to do but now I’m just lost for words. I have no idea.
“Maybe an overseas tour. I think I want to see everywhere.
“My partner is here with me now. He’s a bit in shock. He loves his job, so I don’t know if he’ll be retiring.”
She said they would “most definitely be celebrating on the weekend”.
“Our options are endless. It’s going to help our children immensely,” she said.
“Wow. I’m just taking it all in. Thank you so much.”
Alongside the two division-one winning entries, 22 lottery ticket holders each bagged the division two prize of $177,092.75.
The Powerball jackpot jumped to an unprecedented $200 million – the largest lottery haul in Australian history – on Thursday after no one snagged the top prize for six consecutive weeks.
Of the 20 Powerball division one winners in 2023, eight were purchased in NSW, seven in Victoria, two each in South Australia and Western Australia and one in Queensland.
-AAP
