A Katoomba man’s lunchtime break took an exhilarating turn when a spur-of-the-moment decision to play a game of Keno led him to a mouth-watering win worth more than $57,000.
The Blue Mountains resident scored the Keno Classic 8 Spot jackpot in draw 960, drawn Monday 10 March 2025. He looks forward to a total windfall of $57,110.50.
The ecstatic winner admitted he’d initially mistaken his $57,000 win for $5,700, causing him to break out into excitement not once, but twice.
“Bloody ripper! I’m pretty happy!” he cheered.
“I decided to head to the club on my lunch break and play a game of Keno on a whim.
“I play from time to time on the weekends. I actually don’t normally play on my lunch break, but maybe I should’ve tried a game of Keno on my lunch break a lot earlier.
“It’s funny because at first, I scanned my ticket using the Keno app and I thought I’d won $5,700. I was freaking out about it.
“I sent my wife a text with a screenshot and told her we’d won $5,700. She texted me right back and told me, ‘No you didn’t. You won $57,000’.
“So then I freaked out again. It was two times I freaked out about the win.
“I left work right after. I couldn’t keep working.
“It’s really exciting news.
“We’ll definitely be celebrating this win. I’m thinking I’ll take the whole family out for dinner.”
His winning Keno Classic 8 Spot entry was purchased from Katoomba RSL Club, 86 Lurline St, Katoomba.
Katoomba RSL Club Chief Executive Officer Nick Darias shared it was an incredible moment when he discovered his venue had sold a life-changing Keno win.
“My first thoughts were excitement and happiness for the lucky winner, knowing that this windfall could be life-changing for them,” he said.
“I believe our patrons will be absolutely thrilled to hear the news that we’ve sold a major Keno winning entry. There’s always an incredible buzz when something like this happens—it creates excitement, conversation, and a sense of optimism among our members and guests.
“On behalf of Katoomba RSL, I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our lucky Keno winner! It’s always exciting to see one of our patrons take home a major prize, and I truly hope this win brings you joy and positive opportunities.”
In 2024, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 76 million wins collectively worth more than $1.19 billion.
During this time, Keno crowned 23 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $54.9 million. Eleven of these major winners were from New South Wales and the ACT, including an East Maitland dad who scored a $6.6 million windfall.
Players in New South Wales and the ACT enjoyed more than 38.9 million Keno wins totalling more than $599.2 million across the region in 2024.