A Smythesdale man’s quiet evening turned unforgettable after a game of Keno transformed into a tear-jerking moment as he scored $167,851.90.
The victorious Victorian scored the Keno Mega Millions 8 Spot jackpot in Keno draw 953, on Friday 3 October 2025 and pocketed a total prize of $167,851.90.
When an official from Keno called the gleeful man, he was still wrapping his head around the reality of his win.
“Thank you very much! It just keeps sinking in,” he said.
“I was having tea when I saw on the screen that someone had won in the venue, and I thought to myself, ‘Did I see that right?’.
“I went inside to check my ticket, and the lady at the counter said I was the only one playing Keno at the time, so then I was really getting excited.
“It didn’t hit me until they were all high fiving me and jumping around. Then I started to tear up, and it just felt surreal.
“I’m honestly still questioning if it’s legit! I keep thinking someone’s going to call me and say they made a mistake!
“It’s fantastic. Funnily enough, on the night I filled out the 8 Spot ticket and only put seven numbers, but the staff said I needed one more.
“I just quickly chose a number, and it turned out to be a good choice.”
When asked about his plans for the prize, the winner said he was still coming to terms with the windfall but had a few ideas in mind.
“I think it’ll feel more real once I have it, but I’ve got a couple of ideas in mind,” he said.
“We’ve got some things around the house to be fixed up, so it’ll come in handy for those and I’ll be giving my wife a fair chunk.”
His winning Keno Mega Millions entry was purchased at Ballarat & District Trotting Club, 703 Bell St, Redan.
Ballarat & District Trotting Club venue manager Rebecca Bell said she was thrilled to hear the venue had sold a major prize-winning Keno ticket.
“Wow! I was in shock when I saw the email. I thought maybe they had written the incorrect amount,” she laughed.
“No doubt the news will spread like wildfire. Our regulars will be excited to hear that their venue sold a winning 8 Spot ticket.
“The staff that sold the ticket are super excited to be part of the win and no doubt the team have been on a winning high most of the week.”
In FY25, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 76 million wins collectively worth more than $1.2 billion.
During this time, Keno crowned 20 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $57.9 million. Two of these major winners were from Victoria, including a Melton man who pocketed more than $2 million.
Victorians enjoyed more than 9.9 million Keno wins totalling more than $131.9 million across the state in FY25.