Millions of Australians are scrambling to check their tickets after Australia’s sixth Powerball jackpot was drawn.
Half of Australia’s adult population were expected to buy a ticket for Thursday night’s $100 million jackpot in the hope of landing a life-changing windfall.
The jackpot was also the third-largest prize up for grabs so far in 2024.
The winning numbers are 13, 9, 1, 18, 12, 2 and 14. The Powerball number is 3.
The jackpot rose to nine figures after there were no division one winners for the fifth consecutive week last week.
If one player takes home the entire $100 million division one prize, they will share the crown of Australia’s second-biggest individual lottery winner.
If you’re a lucky winner and a registered player, an official from The Lott will call you to announce the exciting news and unlike many other late night phone calls, this is one you’ll want to answer.
The drawing for the huge $100 million Powerball jackpot has been held and the numbers drawn are
James Eddy is one of two people making those calls.
In the two years he has worked at The Lott, Eddy has told five Australians they have won $20 million or more, and he never tires of making those life-changing calls.
“It’s one of those things where you can share in the excitement and celebration and almost vicariously experience what the winner is feeling in that moment,” he said. 7News.
“It’s always wonderful, especially if they don’t know they’ve won. To be able to give them that news and just hear the shock and disbelief in their voice.’
Eddy follows the same script every time he calls the lucky winners.
‘I’m going to say, “Hello, am I talking to (your name)?” And they say “Yes.” I say, ‘Look, my name is James from The Lott PR team to call you regarding Powerball drawing number 1461, you have an entry for that drawing.’
‘Then we must follow some verification steps. And then at the end of that, if it’s a little test for Thursday night, I can say, “Well, congratulations. It’s my pleasure to be able to tell you that in this drawing you are one of the winners of our division one.” and you’ve won 100 million dollars.’ And just pause!’
If you are a winner and have registered, The Lott will call you and let you know and unlike other late night calls, this is one you will want to answer.
He said the person receiving the call sometimes screams, while others say, “Oh my God, I can’t believe this happened to me!” and some just stay silent because they can’t find the words.
Mr. Eddy often hears from the person who, while he always naturally wanted to win, never expected it to happen.
However, one winner’s reaction in particular has always stuck with him.
He called a man in Victoria who was one of three winners of the $160 million Powerball drawing in October 2022.
The call from The Lott that everyone would love to receive will come minutes after the Powerball numbers are announced.
‘And when I called him, he was working and he immediately started getting very emotional and crying and talking about what it would mean for his family.
“He said, ‘Okay, well, I’m going to finish what I’m doing at work and I’m not coming back.’ And that was the end of that…
“But I think the pure emotion in his voice when I spoke to him was what really stuck with me.”
The next Powerball drawing will be on May 23.
Online Gambling Help or call 1800 858 858.