An Albany family is overjoyed after learning that one of their customers won the $30 million Powerball jackpot in last night’s drawing. The owners of Albany Central Superette, Binal and Hiren Patel, have only been in business for a year and a half, and they are already celebrating their first division winner.
Winning Ticket Details
“It’s really exciting for us,” said Binal Patel, as news broke that they had sold the winning ticket. Hiren Patel noted they had previously sold second division tickets but had eagerly awaited their first big win. Moments after receiving a call from their retail manager confirming the sale, the couple couldn’t contain their excitement.
Hiren Patel expressed how regular customers often inquire about whether they have sold a significant winning ticket, and until now, the answer had always been “not yet.” A Lotto spokesperson confirmed that the fortunate winner has yet to come forward to claim their prize, which totals $30 million from Powerball First Division and an additional $200,000 from Lotto First Division.
Winners All Around
Four other players also won $200,000 from the First Division during the same draw. The winning tickets were sold not only at Albany Central Superette but also at Whau Valley Dairy in Whangārei and through MyLotto accounts from cities including Auckland, Christchurch, and Canterbury.
The Patel family shared that while they have not yet had the chance to meet the big winner, previous customers have returned to share their joy after winning. “Last year, a lady came in after winning the second division and told us about it,” recalled Hiren Patel.
A Proud Moment for the Family
The couple’s excitement is further amplified by their son, Jyan Patel, who is eager to share the news with his classmates about his family’s achievement in selling the winning ticket. Yesterday’s draw produced the numbers 32, 17, 28, 30, 21, and 12, with the Powerball number being 10.
Record-Breaking Lotto History
This recent jackpot follows a massive win earlier this year, when a single player in Auckland claimed a historic $44 million prize. Additionally, a record Powerball jackpot of $50 million in June was shared among seven winners, each receiving approximately $7.1 million.
For any ticket holders looking to check their results, immediate feedback is available for tickets purchased through MyLotto. Automatic credits are issued for prizes of $1,000 or less; however, winners of larger amounts must complete an online prize form. Live draws occur on TVNZ 1 every Wednesday and Saturday, with results also accessible via the MyLotto app and Lotto NZ retailers.
Next Steps for the Lucky Winner
If the Powerball jackpot remains unclaimed, it will continue to roll over until it is won or reaches the must-be-won limit. In cases where multiple tickets win, the jackpot is divided evenly among the winners, ensuring that everyone has a share of the excitement. So far in 2024, 17 individuals have struck it rich and become multimillionaires thanks to Lotto.
Stay tuned for updates on the lucky winner, as the community in Albany eagerly awaits news about the new millionaire.