Forgetful Aussie dad finds winning $40m Powerball ticket in his pocket
The family are still in shock, saying the win has 'changed their lives'.
An Australian father has finally realised his $40 million Powerball win after he remembered he had a ticket in his pocket a week later.
The man, from Swan Valley in Western Australia, discovered the ticket eight days after the draw and was shocked at his luck.
“I was in complete disbelief and shock when the retailer explained I had the winning ticket,” he told officials from Lotterywest.
“This has changed our lives,” he said.
The ticket in Powerball draw 1398 was a last minute purchase for the dad, who bought the Slikpik 18 ticket just one hour before the game.
He said the news is still sinking in, but the family celebrated with a low-key dinner of fish and chips.
“We’re a tight family and will share the win together, making sure our kids and grandkids are looked after,” he said.
The family also have plans to travel and are looking forward to flying business class.
The winning numbers on March 2 were 18, 14, 13, 16, 21, 19 and 29, with Powerball number 18.
In this year alone, WA has seen 21 division one Lotto winners, who have shared in more than $74 million.
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Previous $40m Powerball winner thought win was a scam
Exactly a month earlier on February 2, a Victorian woman won Powerball's $40m jackpot in draw 1394 – though she didn't believe it when officials called her with the good news.
The Lott said it left “a flurry of missed calls” on the division one winner’s phone before issuing an alert to encourage players to check their tickets.
But even then the mystery winner from Echuca, who’d been at work and unable to answer her phone, needed some convincing.
“Oh my god, oh my god, I can’t believe it, I thought it was a scam!” she told officials. “This just doesn’t feel real. How do I know if this is real?!
“I’m so nervous, I feel really bizarre. My whole body has gone numb! This is really going to take some time to sink in.”
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