Pukekohe store sells $166k Lotto ticket as Powerball rolls over to $55m

Pukekohe’s Hill Superette has sold one of six winning tickets that each earned $166,667 in Saturday night’s Lotto First Division draw.

The others were sold at Lakeview Superette in Auckland, Pak ’n Save Napier City, and on MyLotto to players in Waikato, Palmerston North, and Marlborough.

Twenty Lotto players will be celebrating after each winning $32,541 with Lotto Second Division in tonight’s live draw.

Meanwhile, a Strike Four player from Auckland is celebrating a $200,000 win after buying their ticket on MyLotto.

While those winners celebrate, Powerball has rolled over and the next draw, on Saturday 16 November, will offer a record-breaking $55 million jackpot that must be won by one or more players.

The $55 million prize is the largest ever offered by Lotto NZ, made possible by strong forecast ticket sales. In a Must Be Won draw, if no one wins Powerball First Division, the prize pool rolls down to the next highest division with winners.

“Lotto head office and our retailers are buzzing with excitement  this is the largest prize ever on offer with Powerball and it has to be won on Saturday,” said Lotto NZ Head of Corporate Communications Will Hine.

“The three $50 million Must Be Won draws we’ve previously held were all won by multiple winners, so there’s a chance that might happen this time too. Regardless of how many people win on Saturday, we know the ripple effect of this win is likely to be felt far and wide in the winners’ communities.”

Hine urged players to keep things in perspective. “This is an exciting time for New Zealanders, and we want to remind our players not to spend more than they can afford and only spend from their entertainment budget, a ticket can be bought for $6, which gives you four lines in the draw.”

He said stores are expected to be busy from mid-afternoon on Saturday, with the final hour before sales close at 7.30 pm also likely to be busy online.

“Our best advice for anyone wanting to buy a ticket is to get in early and avoid those busy times.”