Auckland Man Finds $20.1 Million Lotto Ticket Used as Bookmark
- A West Auckland resident has discovered that a Lotto ticket used as a bookmark for nearly two months is worth $20.1 million.
- The operator asked players to check uncollected slips in August after the prize went unclaimed for several weeks.
- "We're so pleased the lucky winner found his ticket and checked it before we started the next stage of our search," Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will...
A West Auckland resident has discovered that a Lotto ticket used as a bookmark for nearly two months is worth $20.1 million. The winning ticket had remained inside a book since July until the owner picked the reading material back up following a break. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, scanned the slip at a self-check kiosk after realizing Blockhouse Bay Postshop & Stationers sold a major winning ticket. He initially expected to collect a few thousand dollars.
It still didn’t cross my mind that it would be $20m.
Anonymous winner
The operator asked players to check uncollected slips in August after the prize went unclaimed for several weeks.
“We’re so pleased the lucky winner found his ticket and checked it before we started the next stage of our search,” Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will Hine said. “I can only imagine what it must have felt like to realise that his bookmark was worth $20.1m.”
Will Hine, Lotto NZ head of corporate communications
Next Steps for the Winner
The recipient plans to share the news with close family while mapping out his next moves. He intends to take things slow and has only confirmed one specific plan so far.
I’m going to take things slow and really think about what to do with this money. I do want to go on an overseas trip, but that’s the only plan so far.
Anonymous winner
Remaining Unclaimed Prizes in Auckland
While the multi-million dollar prize has been claimed, another significant Auckland win remains outstanding. A $333,333 winning ticket sold at Four Square St Heliers for the June 27 draw has yet to be collected.
We’d love to get this prize to the rightful owner, so if you might have bought a ticket in St Heliers in Auckland a few months ago, please have a look for it – and maybe have a scan of your bookshelf.
Will Hine, Lotto NZ head of corporate communications