Supermarket Sweep!

Three supermarket workers who play the Oz Lotto as a “mini syndicate” have won $15,000,000 between them. Oz Lotto requires players to pick 7 numbers from 45, and there are seven prize tiers. The three supermarket players matched all seven main numbers to sweep up the jackpot and win $5,000,000 each.

The leader of the mini syndicate, who has not been named, joked that she might leave her sedan at home and start going to work by helicopter. She is reported to have been “unable to believe her luck” when a New South Wales lottery official called her about the win. Her two colleagues were equally dumbfounded, although contacting one of them proved tricky for NSW.

After trying to contact one of the trio on her mobile telephone without success, NSW officials had to pay her a doorstep visit to tell her about the win. It became apparent that the mobile phone was out of credit, and the lady in question couldn’t afford to top up until her next pay day. Now, with $5 million in the bank, she need never miss another important call again!

The 55 year old leader of the syndicate said that she wasn’t planning on taking an early retirement. “I love my work, so I’ll keep on working,” she said. “With my share I’d like to buy a house, as we’re only renting at the moment... we’ll stay in the local area and build a nice country-style house – not too big – and then I’ll throw a big party for all my friends.”

- 08/01/07