Sydney man becomes instant millionaire while at the pub
While out for dinner with family, a man received a call that would change his life forever - it was the news he had become the country’s newest millionaire.
The middle-aged man, who remains anonymous but lives in Penrith, in Greater Western Sydney, had a Keno 10 Spot winning ticket worth $1,847,259.00.
He picked it up while at the Pioneer Tavern in Penrith on Saturday night, and after receiving the news, sent the establishment into full-blown celebration mode.
Speaking with a Keno official after his win, he said he was in disbelief and “shouted everyone a drink to celebrate”.
“I hadn’t seen the draw. I just went up and checked the ticket and the lady just said ‘we have to call Keno’. I didn’t think it would be anything this big but then I saw the prize come up on the terminal,” he said.
“I was like ‘what the hell?!’. I was just stunned.”
He said his entry was filled out with his and his partner’s birthdays along with some random numbers for his first game of Keno “in a while”.
“I was just having dinner with the family. It was a bit of a catch-up and then this came up in the middle of it. I don’t mind this interruption at all!,” he said.
He was pleased he now had an excuse not to show up to work, but conceded he still would while he contemplated what to spend his winnings on.
“I will pay off the rest of the house and go from there,” he said.
“There’s a few cars I’ve been eyeing – something I’ve wanted for a long time. We’re definitely not talking about a Hyundai Excel here, something a little bit more sporty.”
‘It felt like we all won’
Pioneer Tavern venue manager Trent Pittaway said staff were thrilled one of the business’ patrons had scored a major Keno prize.
“After our patron won, the excitement in the venue was infectious – it felt like we had all won,” he said.
“The winner was absolutely over the moon. The staff were also stoked. It has created a really good atmosphere in the hotel.
“There’s nothing more exciting for the team than seeing one of our patrons take home a huge prize. We’ve been celebrating ever since.
“We congratulate our winner and have absolutely no doubt they’ll enjoy their Keno windfall.”
In the 12 months to 30 June 2019, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 64 million wins collectively worth more than $853 million.
If gambling is a problem for you, visit Gambling Help Online or call 1800 858 858.
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