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There are 21 Australians across New South Wales and Victoria waking up as millionaires after the $40 million Powerball went off on Thursday night.
One mystery Southern Sydney shopper won a whopping $20 million with their division one lottery win.
While a syndicate of 20 people in Melbourne collectively won just over $20 million in the draw.
Thursday night’s big winner was an unregistered player from New South Wales, meaning officials had no way of contacting the ticketholder to let them know of their life-changing windfall.
Now, they’re left waiting for the new multi-millionaire to realise they hold the winning ticket and claim their prize money.
The Lott are urging people to check their tickets, with the entry purchased at One Stop Shop on 70 Acacia Road, Kirrawee.
“Imagine going to bed tonight not knowing you’ve just won $20 million? That’s the reality for one New South Wales player after scoring a slice of the division one prize in tonight’s Powerball draw,” The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said.
“That is why we are encouraging everyone who purchased a ticket into this week’s Powerball draw to check their entries as soon as possible because they may be the multi-millionaire we are searching for.”
As for the 20-person group syndicate – they won multiple divisional prizes, bolstering the group’s total windfall to $20,449,469.40.
This means each syndicate member took home $1,022,473.47.
While syndicates are often set up between colleagues or friends, this group are not believed to know each other.
The syndicate was set up by Vic Market Lotto in Melbourne, with shares sold at nine other Tatts outlets across the city.
“While members of this winning group might not know each other, they are now united by the fact that tonight they each became a Powerball millionaire,” Hart said.
He added that while some members of the group had “already begun celebrating their good fortune” others are till in the dark about the win.
“There are still some unregistered syndicate members who may have yet to discover their good news.”
There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling.
Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858; use online counselling; find information about help services in your state or territory; get information and support for family and friends; get information about how to talk with someone about their gambling; or contact Gamblers Anonymous.
All services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
