Posted on: July 10, 2023, 07:56h.
Last updated on: July 10, 2023, 07:56h.
After experiencing a stroke of luck in an incredible lottery drawing in New Zealand, a couple from Christchurch faced the dilemma of what to do with their astonishing winnings. Surprisingly, they were not worried about someone swiping the NZD33-million (US$20.7 million) ticket, so they simply left it stored away in a drawer.
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, expressed their shock after winning the Lotto jackpot, which left them speechless. The lottery drawing occurred on June 28, but they did not come forward until July 8.
According to Lotto officials, they needed time to process their win and organize their affairs before deciding how to proceed. Now that they have claimed their winnings, they can begin to enjoy themselves.
Cashing In
A spokesperson from Lotto NZ stated that the couple, who only played the lottery occasionally, purchased the Powerball Dip, a random set of numbers, about a week before the high-stakes drawing. However, the wife admitted that due to her busy schedule following the draw, she never took the time to check her ticket.
It wasn’t until late last Wednesday that she finally sat down to check the numbers. Her husband was already asleep, but not for much longer.
When she discovered that all of the numbers matched, she woke him up so he could double-check. He confirmed the combination of numbers, and sleep was no longer an option.
Instead of immediately contacting the Lotto office to claim their prize, the couple decided to take a practical approach. They wanted to discuss their options and determine the best way to utilize their newfound fortune.
They placed the winning ticket in a sock drawer while they continued with their daily routines. Fortunately, nothing happened to the small slip of paper, and after a week, they claimed their prize.
Last week, an astounding 1.4 million Kiwis participated in the lottery. Interest soared when news of the massive jackpot broke. This latest lottery win is the ninth-highest Powerball victory of the year, according to Lotto NZ statistics.
Don’t Repeat Rodgers’ Mistake
There are numerous examples of lottery winners who mishandled their sudden windfalls, so the Kiwi couple is taking the right approach by wanting to plan ahead. If only Callie Rodgers had done that 20 years ago.
In 2003, at the age of just 16, Rodgers struck gold by winning the jackpot in a UK drawing. This made her the youngest lottery winner in the UK, but she did not handle the instant success very well.
Rodgers reportedly squandered most, if not all, of her £1.87 million (US$2.4 million) lottery winnings. According to the media outlet the Daily Mail, she was recently seen shopping at Iceland, a controversial discount supermarket chain.
She allegedly spent nearly all of her winnings on cosmetic surgery, gifts for friends and family, and shopping. Rodgers also reportedly developed an expensive drug habit that ate into her winnings.
It also came to light in court that she was receiving Universal Credit, a type of social security payment, even after winning the lottery. This has not helped her financial situation, as a court ordered her to repay it all in installments, which she is still doing.
Take Note Before Powerball Drawing
Winning the lottery does not mean you can’t be smart about it. Making a plan and seeking financial advice should be the first steps once you have a winning ticket.
The next US Powerball drawing, which takes place tonight, is expected to be one of the largest in recent history. The jackpot has risen to $650 million after Saturday’s $629.1 million prize went unclaimed.
That drawing marked the 34th consecutive drawing without a winner. Powerball officials announced in a press release that the upcoming prize will be the ninth-largest jackpot in the history of the game. Additionally, it will be the second-largest prize awarded this year.