Special numbers deliver $2.1 million TattsLotto dream to Doncaster man
A Doncaster man has confessed he feels like he’s been in a dream since he discovered the “special numbers” he has been playing for more than 30 years delivered him a $2.1 million division one prize in the weekend’s TattsLotto draw.
The happy winner was one of only two division one winners nationally in TattsLotto draw 3817 on Saturday 17 February, with each taking home a division one prize of $2,129,546.22.
Speaking to a Tatts official this morning to confirm his prize, the happy winner recounted the moment he discovered his good fortune.
“It’s been like a dream since Sunday morning when I checked. I can’t believe it,” he laughed.
“I usually check my ticket on Sunday morning as I’m not registered so usually I just check the numbers on my phone. I’ve been playing the same numbers for 30 years and that one line looked familiar, but thought I missed one number. But when I checked the ticket – wow, it all fell into place.
“I can’t fathom it!”
The family man explained he had been playing the same numbers, consisting of family birthdates and special numbers, for more than three decades.
“They’re just numbers I’ve had an affinity with. But in the last 30-odd years I’ve won division two with them three times. When you miss division one by one number it’s very painful,” he said.
“I’m gobsmacked there were only two division one winners on Saturday. When you look at the numbers they seem like they’d be quite common or popular numbers with lots of winners. Someone up there must be looking after me.”
With the win confirmed, the man said he could start planning how he would use his TattsLotto windfall, with his family at the top of his Lotto List.
“I’m not going to go berserk or on a spending spree, but in life you get one chance and you’ve got to be smart with what you do with it.
“When you get it, you grab it with both hands and say thank you!”
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his marked 16-game entry from Tunstall News & Lotto, 4 Tunstall Square, Doncaster East.
Tunstall News & Lotto owner John Katsikis said he was celebrating the outlet selling its eight division one winning entry since 2010.
“We’ve done well! I can’t win one for myself so at least my customers are winning,” he laughed.
“When we first took over the outlet we had a run of division one wins, then a break and now another one. Hopefully the winning streak is back!”
The six winning numbers in Saturday TattsLotto draw 3817 on Saturday 17 February 2018 were 30, 13, 3, 8, 31 and 35, while the supplementary numbers were 25 and 17.
Across Australia, there were only two division one winning entries – one from Victoria and one from Western Australia.
The Lott’s division one winning tally has now reached 278 so far this financial year, including 97 won by Tatts customers.