An Oz Lotto player from Melbourne, Australia, has claimed the First Division prize from the Tuesday, July 29, 2014, drawing.
The lucky winner who matched the seven numbers necessary to secure the AUD$ 7.5 million prize picked up his check on Saturday. He opted to remain anonymous, but told lottery officials he intends to take an early retirement and pursue a life of leisure.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet, but as soon as I checked my ticket I decided I'm going to retire this month," he said.
Although the mystery winner admits his plans include building a new home he made somewhat of a break from tradition by deciding against celebrating his lotto success with the purchase of a new car.
"I'm going to get the bike I've always wanted—it'll be a Harley," he said.
The man purchased his winning ticket from Wyndham Village Lotto and News in Tarneit and it isn’t the first time the store has sold a Division One-winning ticket. Another customer scooped a AUD$ 1 million prize 12 months ago.
The store has changed hands since then and the present owner Mahesh Thakur must have a lucky touch because he'd only been running the store for a day when he sold the AUD$ 7.5 million ticket.
"It's been a very exciting time for us and our customers," Thakur said. "Hopefully the luck continues this week."
The luck didn't continue because there were no First Division Oz Lotto winners this week, so next Tuesday's First Division prize is AUD$ 5 million.
