A Budgewoi man is still reeling from the shock he has been over $198,000 richer for an entire week after checking his ticket this morning and discovering his Keno 9 Spot winning entry had scored him a major prize.
The stoked winner held a Keno 9 Spot winning entry in draw 744, drawn Friday 22 January 2021, and takes home a $198,267.10 prize.
Sharing his excitement with an official from Keno this morning, the winner revealed he had been none the wiser to his win until he went to the club and remembered to check his ticket.
“It’s a pretty good feeling!”
“I think it is still sinking in! I had no idea I had won until I had some time this morning and thought I’d sneak in a quick game.
“It wasn’t until I got here I remembered I had a ticket I hadn’t checked.
“I’ve been playing those numbers for over two years now. I got them as a KwikPik and have just kept replaying them.
“They are definitely my lucky numbers now. I’ve already replayed the ticket again!”
When asked how he planned to enjoy the win, the thrilled man confessed he would breathe a sigh of relief when he paid off his mortgage.
“It’s still sinking in so I’m not one hundred per cent sure what I will spend it on, but I think I’ll sort out my house,” he explained.
“I’ll put most of it on the house, and that will pay off that big bill! It will be a good feeling knowing there will be no more mortgage!”
The happy man also confessed he would be keeping his celebrations low key.
“I’d love to stick around and celebrate, but I’ve got to head to work!” he laughed.
“I’ll probably do something to celebrate when I see it in my bank account.”
The thrilled winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his winning entry at Budgewoi Soccer Club, 1 Millington Way, Buff Point.
Budgewoi Soccer Club Venue Manager Antony Dekort said he couldn’t believe his venue had sold a major prize winning ticket.
“I’ve been working in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, and I’ve never been in a venue when a jackpot has gone off!” he exclaimed.
“I didn’t realise we had sold it until one of the locals opposite the bar saw it on the screen and told me.
“I didn’t believe it until I saw it for myself the next time the results came up.
“The news spread around the club pretty quickly, and some of the regulars were joking around saying it was them, but we soon realised the winner didn’t know and had to wait for him to come forward to claim his prize.
“We are so thrilled he has realised he has won! It will be great for the customers to hear a local and a regular customer has won.
“We send our winner a very very big congratulations from all of us here at the club. We hope he enjoys his prize!”
In 2020, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 59.9 million wins collectively worth more than $840.6 million.