A group of 15 workmates are celebrating a $30 million prize, after their ticket sold at Malaga Newsagency last week became WA’s first Powerball win of 2024.
The group of females and males, with ages ranging from their 30s to their 60s, had equal shares of the System 10 ticket and will pocket $2 million each.
The ticketholder, who started the group more than 7 years ago, forgot to buy their usual Saturday Lotto ticket and purchased a ticket for Powerball instead.
“We all put money into a kitty and I buy a Saturday Lotto ticket every week, plus one for any jackpots of $50 million or more,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe it when I realised I forgot to buy our ticket for Saturday Lotto. I was thinking of the grief I was going to get on Monday at work.
“I saw that Powerball was at $30 million and bought a ticket for that instead on a whim.”
The slip of mind resulted in the life-changing win, which is also WA’s biggest Division One prize since April 2023.
The ticket holder plans to retire early and enjoy caravanning around Australia with his wife.
One winner joked that as soon as she heard the news she bought a pineapple – to her, the ultimate treat.
Other winners plan to retire early, help their children, visit family overseas and book the holidays they have been dreaming of.
“We should never have had a ticket for this draw. I’ve never expected to win but play happily knowing that some of the money goes to helping the community,” the ticketholder said.
Lotterywest spokesperson Zoe Wender said the three-week Powerball jackpot run raised $5.9 million for Lotterywest’s grants program, which supports community groups throughout WA.
“It was incredible welcoming this group of 15 winners into the Lotterywest Winners Room and seeing how ecstatic they were,” she said.
“This is a life-changing win for this group of workmates, and how fantastic that they are sharing the joy of winning together.”
The next chance for WA players to win is in tonight’s $10 million Powerball draw.
Tickets are available until 6pm in-store, online or via the Lotterywest App.
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