An Ipswich man is bringing forward his plans for retirement after walking away with a major Keno win yesterday afternoon.
The south-east Queenslander held a Keno Mega Millions 8 Spot winning entry in draw 918, drawn 30 November 2021, and scored $165,741.40.
Confirming his win with an official from Keno this morning, the thrilled winner relived the moment he watched his windfall unfold.
“I was at the hotel after work and thought I’d have a crack,” he said.
“I don’t usually watch the numbers appearing on the Keno screen, but this time I did.
“I quickly realised that mine were coming out one by one.
“I thought, ‘You bloody beauty! You little ripper!’.”
With his Keno fun money about to hit his bank account, he didn’t hesitate before revealing his plans for his prize.
“This is life-changing for me at the moment,” he said.
“I’m not far off retiring, so this prize might bring me a little closer to that.
“And I’ll be able to help out the family.”
The life-changing entry was purchased at Falvey’s Grand Hotel, 406 Warwick Road, Yamanto.
Falvey’s Grand Hotel Operations Manager Shane Cushway said it was great to see the win go to one of their regulars.
“I was so thrilled when I realised this prize had gone to one of our locals,” he said.
“It’s the first big win we’ve had here in a little while.
“Congratulations to him. We hope he really enjoys his prize!”
In the 12 months to 30 June 2021, 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 19 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $43.69 million. Eight of these major prize winners were from Queensland, including a Gladstone man who won a Keno Classic 10 Spot prize of $2.16 million.
Queenslanders enjoyed more than 25.35 million Keno wins totalling more than $312.79 million at pubs and clubs across the state in FY21.
Keno players can also enter into the monthly second chance draw for the chance to win one of five $1,000 prizes by scanning their ticket at win.secondchance.keno.com.au.