A Chester Hill retiree is happily revamping his retirement plans to factor in a block of land, more fishing and more golf after this afternoon pocketing a Keno windfall of $1.5 million.
The Sydney player held a Keno 10 Spot winning entry in game 225 on Wednesday 14 August 2019, delivering him $1,584,315.10.
Speaking with a Keno official moments after he realised his win, the man confessed he was in a state of shock.
“I’m still shaking!” he laughed.
“I was just sitting here with my mate. I've been playing the same numbers for maybe six months.
“Normally I don’t bother watching the draws. I looked up and saw I had six numbers, but then, hold on, seven numbers, then eight numbers. I thought ‘oh sh**, I’ve got 10 numbers!’.
“I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t. I’m still shaking mate.
“I’ve never really thought of myself as lucky – not overly. I’ve certainly never won anything like this!"
When asked how a $1.5 million Keno prize might brighten his retirement, the happy winner had no hesitation in sharing his plans.
“Land, fishing and golf!” he declared.
“I’d love five acres out in the bush somewhere close to a river. A little hobby farm big enough to hit a couple of golf balls.”
The player, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his 10 Spot entry at Chester Hill RSL Club, 20 Chester Hill Road, Chester Hill.
Chester Hill RSL Club staff member Trinh Ngo said she was ecstatic to have sold the winning Keno entry.
“I can’t believe it. I’m so happy for him. This is the first time in my life I’ve made someone a millionaire! I can’t wait to do it again,” she laughed.
“This is the biggest Keno prize we’ve ever had at the club. Everyone will be so excited to hear such a big win landed here.
“We wish our winner all the very best!”
In the 12 months to 30 June 2019, 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 17 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $47.2 million. Nine of these major winners were from New South Wales and the ACT, including a Newcastle man who pocketed the biggest Keno jackpot in Australian history - a Keno Mega Millions 10 Spot prize worth $7,898,799.30.
Players in New South Wales and the ACT enjoyed more than 34.19 million Keno wins totalling more than $472.51 million at pubs and clubs across the region in the 12 months to 30 June 2019.