If no single ticket wins Powerball first division on Saturday, the prize pool will roll down to the next highest division with winners.
The biggest win on Wednesday night was $166,667; a sum six players will each receive after sharing first division.
The six winning tickets were sold at New World Whangaparāoa in Whangaparāoa, Eastridge Lotto in Auckland, New World Papakura in Auckland, Drury Lane Lotto Superette in Auckland, Bayfair Lotto in Mount Maunganui and on the MyLotto app in Bay of Plenty.
Strike Four was also won by three lucky Strike players. The winning Strike tickets were sold at Botany Junction Four Square in Auckland and on MyLotto to players from Gisborne and Ashburton.
As punters waited for the result to come through tonight, the following message was posted on the Lotto website: “We’re anticipating high demand on MyLotto for tonight’s Powerball results. To make sure you have a good experience, we’re using a virtual queue for players to log in. Thanks for your patience.”
Saturday’s jackpot will equal the two $50m wins seen in 2020.
Lotto NZ’s head of corporate communications Lucy Fullarton said it was an “exciting time” for Kiwis.
“We would like to remind people that it only takes one ticket to be in to win and we’re encouraging all players not to spend more than they can afford – you only need to spend $6 to buy a Powerball ticket.
“We know stores will be busy from mid-afternoon on Saturday. We also expect the last hour before sales close at 7.30pm to be particularly busy online. Our best advice for anyone wanting to grab a ticket to be in to win is to get in early and avoid those busy times,” Fullarton said.
In February 2020, the $50m was split between two lucky Lotto players, giving each $25m. In August of the same year, 10 players split the winnings and received a more modest $5m each.
Biggest single winner
The biggest prize pool won by a single ticket was in 2016 when one player won $44m. In 2021, another single ticket took out an equally life-changing $41m. Last year one Lotto player who bought their ticket from New World Kāpiti, in Paraparaumu won $37m.
Lucy Fullerton from Lotto NZ said there was plenty of support and advice for winners of large life-changing amounts.
“When a player wins a big jackpot, our winner’s experience team gets in touch with them immediately after they have claimed, to ensure they have all the support they need to make the most of what is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.
What happens if you win?
Big winners are invited to Lotto’s head office in Auckland, where they head to the Winner’s Room – a private room set up for the purpose of celebrating.
“This gives winners a chance to process what has happened, and of course we pass on the advice they need,” Fullerton said.
“We talk them through how they might seek professional financial advice, put them in touch with the right person at their bank, and pass on the tips we have gathered from 30 years of Lotto NZ winners.”
Most big winners decide to keep their win a secret and Fullerton said the meeting is a chance to talk about their big win with someone who is not a friend or family member.
Own numbers or lucky dip?
Some players insist on picking the same numbers each week or popping their yellow ticket somewhere special for luck. Others have had better luck buying random numbers each week.
Lotto NZ insists the odds of winning are identical no matter how or where you buy your ticket.
“Whether you buy it in-store or online, whether you pick your own numbers or buy a dip, the odds are the same.”
Four Lotto multi-millionaires crowned this year
January 27: $17.25 million – MyLotto, Canterbury
February 10: $8.3 million – MyLotto, Hawke’s Bay
March 2: $12.3 million – MyLotto, Otago
April 13: $30 million - MyLotto, Wellington
