A Cairns man has had a dinner he’ll never forget after last night being served up a Keno prize worth more than $1.4 million.
The stunned local business owner held a Keno 10 Spot winning entry in game 166 on Wednesday 22 May 2019 that scored a total prize of $1,420,401.10.
It’s the second Keno 10 Spot win to land in Far North Queensland during the past five weeks.
The man was happily enjoying dinner with his family, oblivious to his newly won fortune until he checked his ticket.
“I’m very, very happy as you might appreciate,” he laughed when speaking to a Keno official last night to confirm his win.
“It’s been a big night! We were just having dinner, and we always put a Keno ticket on while we’re having it.
“Funnily enough, I had a 5 cent bet with a family member about who would win the most last night – whether it would be $3, $4 or $5.She collected $9, and I thought I had lost.
“I didn’t have a clue I had won!
“When they told me, I almost fell over. Stunned would be understating it to the max.”
While he normally played his favourite numbers, Far North Queensland’s latest Keno millionaire shared his prize was won using different numbers.
“I’ve got a set of numbers I usually use, but I did these on the fly,” he said.
“This winning ticket probably has about three-quarters of my numbers in there and a couple of blow-ins.”
When asked how he might use his Keno Fun Money, the man said he would have to come to terms with his good fortune first.
“The thought process hasn’t gone that far yet,” he said.
“It makes life a bit easier. I’ll be debt free. I’ll pay off the bills and be debt free.I’ll also give the kids a bit to give them a head start.
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself too. Maybe some travel in the future.
“We’ll have a little celebration tonight. Nothing too wild. I still have to go to work tomorrow.”
The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his winning entry at Trinity Beach Sports Club, 1 Nautilus Street, Trinity Beach.
Trinity Beach Sports Club duty manager Damien Flanigan said the club was celebrating selling its biggest Keno winning entry to date.
“It was a great moment,” he laughed.
“The winner just checked his ticket and he was stunned and standing there in disbelief with a tear rolling down his cheek. One of his family members let out a big scream.
“They hugged each other for awhile.It was just awesome.
“And another big Keno win for Far North Queensland. It’s a good spot to play Keno!”
In 2018, Keno crowned 16 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $36.47 million.Six of these major winners were Queenslanders.
Queenslanders won $25.87 million on average each month playing Keno in pubs and clubs across the state.
Last year in Queensland alone, players bought 34.76 million Keno tickets and won $310.64 million in cash prizes, including 494 individual 7, 8, 9, and 10 Spot jackpot prizes.