The year is 1973.  

The Sydney Opera House is officially opened. AC/DC perform their first major gig. The voting age is lowered from 21 to 18. And the very first X Lotto draw is held.  

Although it looked a little different to what it does now. 

Originally a six from 32 game that was introduced the year prior in Victoria, it was still another few years until Saturday Lotto was introduced to the other states and territories around Australia.  

To celebrate this momentous occasion in Australian lottery history, we spoke with Prue Eldridge, one of our longest standing SA Lotteries retailers. 

Prue and her family have owned Semprinis Unley for 19 years, and her parents have owned Blackwood Newsagency for the last 47 years!  

“It’s an exciting time for everyone! It’s knowing that people’s lives have changed, and dreams have come true” Prue says of marking this momentous occasion. 

Not surprisingly, it’s the customers that Prue loves most about having a lottery outlet.  

“There has been a lot of special ones, ones that are definite characters. The banter and relationships you form with your regular customers, they make all the hard work worth it.” 

Over the last 50 years there has been millions in prize money won shared by thousands of South Australian players. 

“It’s always a wonderful feeling to know you could have sold a ticket that will change someone’s life. We have customers that are just excited with $100 let alone thousands or millions!” Prue shared. 

After half a century of exciting draws, X Lotto has earned its reputation as an Australian favourite and a game renowned for making millionaires. So far in 2023, there have already been 36 millionaires made Australia wide. Wouldn’t it be nice.  

We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years of X Lotto brings.