How Australians could win $1 billion in giant lottery draw today
The only catch is the lottery is in the US.
It’s the fourth largest jackpot in US history, NBC 12 reports.
Wagering company The Lottery Office, a subsidiary of Global Players Network Pty Ltd, is giving Aussies the chance to win the prize by offering entries into a number of overseas lotteries including Thursday’s Powerball draw.
Participants can find out more about buying tickets in the US Powerball jackpot through The Lottery Office’s website.
General manager Jaclyn Mundey told News Corp the company is licensed to operate “our own lotteries just like Tatts are” and is the only company in Australia with the business model.
“We’re required to buy the matching ticket, that’s what our license says,” she told News Corp.
Move to ban The Lottery Office in WA
In June last year, the government passed legislation to ban gambling on overseas lotteries in Australia.
Earlier this month, the Australian reported West Australia’s state government had made moves to ban The Lottery Office because it broke a state law in advertising an overseas lottery.
But Ms Mundey told the paper The Lottery Office operates out of the Northern Territory and is therefore legal.
In a statement, Minister for Communications, Senator Mitch Fifield said the aim was to protect small businesses including newsagents, pharmacies and pubs “who operate long-standing, recreational betting services”.
It led to the withdrawal of 33 offshore wagering sites from Australian markets in 12 months, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Newsagents express concerns about new ticketing model
Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association chief executive Ben Kearney told News Corp he’s seeking advice about The Lottery Office model and will speak with regulators.
“We do have initial concerns that the model could raise questions under some state and federal acts,” he told News Corp.
The $1 billion lottery will be drawn at 11.30am AEST.
In other lottery news, a drought-stricken NSW farmer said an enormous weight was lifted off his shoulders when he won $200,000 in September last year.
Last month a winner in Jamaica raised a few eyebrows when he wore a disguise to collect his winnings.
He was concerned about being hounded for money or getting robbed.
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