Lotto player's $6 loss

The decision not to spend an extra $6 on a Lotto ticket has cost a Lower Hutt man more than $17 million.

The 60-year-old found himself $839,172 richer after winning second division in last week's Big Wednesday Lotto draw but he could have won $18.7 million if he'd spent a few extra dollars.

The retired man, who lost some of his savings in a failed finance company, says he does not regret not spending the extra money.

"There are 839,000 reasons not to be [unhappy]. What happens, happens," he told the Herald on Sunday via email.

The man said the first thing he did when he discovered his win was email his partner and his adult sons, and aims to spend some of his winnings into helping them buy their own houses.

"[I] won't spend it all. A few trips. Also will be more generous as far as giving to charities is concerned."

Karen Jones of NZ Lotteries said if he had bought an extra $6 ticket, he could have won the total prize package, which included $17 million in cash and a $1.7 million prize package.

To win the Big Wednesday first division, players must have all six winning numbers and the correct heads or tails on the coin toss for the lucky dip ticket.

By buying two tickets for $6 each one heads and one tails you cover both bases in case you have the winning numbers. Rebecca Lewis