A hard-working Torquay woman has revealed she held onto her $1.1 million winning Keno ticket for over a week because she was too nervous to check it.
The Queensland player held a Keno Classic winning entry in draw 306, drawn Sunday 15 May 2022, and takes home a total prize of $1,195,093.20.
Speaking to a Keno official, the elated winner confessed the million-dollar windfall had left her in a daze.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, mate!” she laughed.
“My friend saw that the win was on the local news and rang to tell me to go and check my ticket, but I was so nervous at the thought it could be me that I held onto it for a week.
“I was scared I might have a heart attack!
“You’ve called me at the right time. I’m actually driving around looking at houses.
“The first thing I’ll do is buy my first home, and it’s such an amazing feeling.
“The second thing I’ll do is retire. It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours. I don’t think I’ve really slept.
“I just can’t wait to live my life freely and without worry. This is an incredible gift.”
The elated woman’s winning Keno entry was purchased at Bay Central Tavern, 155 Boat Harbour Drive, Pialba.
Bay Central Tavern spokesperson Paul Limbrick said they were thrilled one of their patrons had scored a major Keno prize.
“After our patron won, the excitement in the venue was infectious – it felt like we had all won,” he said.
“There’s nothing more exciting for the team than seeing one of our patrons take home a huge prize. We’ve been celebrating ever since.
“We congratulate our winner and have absolutely no doubt they’ll enjoy their Keno fun money.”
In 2021, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 36.2 million wins collectively worth more than $590.3 million.