Regardless of the outcome of the weekend’s NRL Grand Final, a Hervey Bay man already felt like a winner after scoring a $1.9 million Keno prize.
The Wide Bay – Burnett region man in his 60s held a Keno Classic 10 Spot entry in draw 662 on Saturday 2 October 2021, delivering him a $1,945,733.90 prize.
“I didn’t see the draw and was about to go home when someone told me there’d been a win in the hotel and I had better check my ticket,” he recounted to a Keno official.
“It didn’t really sink in then, but it’s a great feeling now!
“I’ve been celebrating ever since and kept it going for the NRL Grand Final.
“It’s not every day you win that kind of money. I’ve finally struck pay dirt!
“I always play a Keno 10 Spot every weekend with the same numbers.
“The only time I change my ten numbers is each year when I change one number that’s my age. All the others are special to me – a house number I grew up in, birthdate numbers and things like that.”
The happy winner confessed an early retirement was on the cards with his million-dollar prize.
“It’s changed my life,” he declared.
“I’ve already told my boss I won’t be working past Christmas.
“I’ll just pay the house off – that’s the big thing I’m going to do.
“I’ll look after the kids, of course. They’re all in a bit of shock when I rang to tell them.”
The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his winning 10 Spot entry at Beach House Hotel, 344 Charlton Esplanade, Scarness, Hervey Bay.
Beach House Hotel manager Dave Wright said the venue was still celebrating making one of its regular patrons a millionaire.
“This is the biggest Keno win we’ve ever had here. It’s been a while since the last big Keno win too,” he said.
“The place has been buzzing with the news. It’s great to see a win go to a local and we wish him all the very best with his prize.”
In the 12 months to 30 June 2021, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 64 million wins collectively worth more than $853 million.
During this time, Keno crowned 19 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $43.69 million. Eight of these major prize winners were from Queensland, including a Gladstone man who won a Keno Classic 10 Spot prize of $2.16 million.
Queenslanders enjoyed more than 25.35 million Keno wins totalling more than $312.79 million at pubs and clubs across the state in FY21.
Keno players can also enter into the monthly second chance draw for the chance to win one of five $1,000 prizes by scanning their ticket at win.secondchance.keno.com.au.