An Eimeo man got the surprise of a lifetime when a team member casually mentioned someone had won big at the venue, only to realise, that he was the fortunate winner of the $70,000 prize.
The Mackay resident scored the Keno Classic 8 Spot jackpot in draw 179, drawn Monday 21 April 2025 and looks forward to a total prize of $70,479.30. It’s the first major Keno win to land in the Mackay and Whitsundays region for 2025.
“It’s so awesome!” the winner remarked after a Keno official confirmed the win.
“I’ve been playing those numbers for two years; they consist mostly of birthdates.
“I’ve come pretty close to a jackpot win twice before, and I never thought it would actually happen.
“There was a lot of happiness in the household yesterday!
“I never wait for the games to finish, so I had no idea that I’d won. We went for lunch and left once we were finished, and it wasn’t until we were leaving that a team member said someone had won.
“She said to me, ‘There’s been a winner! Check your ticket!’. I checked my ticket, and I couldn’t believe it. Things like this don’t happen to me.
“I’m over the moon.”
While the winning man hasn’t locked in any concrete plans just yet, he hinted that a holiday could definitely be on the cards.
“I have no idea what to do with the prize. I think I’ll have more of an idea when I see the zeros in the bank,” he laughed.
“I do think a holiday would be nice. There’s a lot of places I want to see!”
His winning entry was purchased at Blacks Beach Tavern, Cnr Blacks Beach Road & Slater Avenue, Blacks Beach.