A Gold Coast teacher has become almost $1 million richer after winning the second division prize in yesterday’s USA Power Lotto draw.
The 61-year-old received the life-changing call from the Lottery Office as he was getting ready to teach his Southport class this morning.
“This is the dream,” the man said, still in disbelief that he had just scooped a whopping AUD $897,827.
“I only signed up with The Lottery Office on Saturday after seeing one of their ads and I only spent $21 on tickets. I had no idea I had won,” he said.
The stunned local was also informed that he was just one number off winning the first division prize of AUD $1 billion, but said he was just as happy with his win.
“This money will allow me to completely pay off my mortgage, which is the dream, and I’ll be able to travel,” he said.
“I’m also due to have a very expensive operation this month so this win will be an invaluable asset to cover that”.
The win is the biggest prize ever collected from an overseas jackpot to-date by a Queenslander.
“It’s fantastic to see a local cash in such a massive prize from an international lottery,” Lottery Office CEO Jaclyn Wood said.
“We feel privileged to have facilitated this win”.
