A Taree man is looking forward to paying off the mortgage and enjoying life after winning a $577,000 Lotto Strike prize on a free ticket. 

The Mid North Coast resident held the only division one winning entry in Lotto Strike draw 5070 on Saturday 8 January 2022. His total prize was $577,381.15. 

The winner was oblivious to his good fortune until an official from The Lott spoke to him this morning. 

“Wow! This is crazy! I’ve won?” the man questioned. 

“I won a free ticket on another game, and now I’ve won more than half a million dollars on that? It’s real what I’m seeing? 

“It must be meant to be! 

“I just started playing Lotto Strike a month or two ago because I could see the jackpot getting up there. 

“This will pretty much set us up for life. We’ve got a house mortgage so I’ll just pay that off and enjoy life. 

“We were going to go and get some groceries for dinner, but we might have takeaway instead tonight to celebrate!” 

The man’s winning entry was purchased online at thelott.com – the official home of Australia’s lotteries.