‘Must be Won’ $30 Million Draw for Big Wednesday

Media Release 17 June 2009

‘Must be Won’ $30 Million Draw for Big Wednesday

Despite record sales, Big Wednesday’s First Division was not struck tonight which means NZ Lotteries is calling a ‘Must Be Won’ draw for 24 June, says NZ Lotteries’ Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

“On offer to players will be $30 million in total cash and prizes,” says Mr McLeay.

A ‘Must Be Won’ draw means that Big Wednesday’s First Division will definitely be won by one or more lucky players. If no-one wins First Division, then the First Division prize pool is added to that of the next highest prize division where there are winners. If there is more than one Second Division winner, they will share the prizῥs equally. Έf there are no Second Divisionᾠwinners then Big Wednesday Third Division winners will share the prize.

The Big Wednesday luxury prize line-up can be taken as a cash prize, which will enable the prize to be split equally if there is more than one big winner.

“This 'Must Be Won' draw has been triggered due to Big Wednesday's jackpotting cash and prizes reaching the threshold of $30 million, as set out in NZ Lotteries’ game rules,” says Mr McLeay.

“After twenty one weeks, Big Wednesday’s First Division still has not been struck, making it the longest jackpot run in NZ Lotteries’ history,” says Mr McLeay.

2.9 million Big Wednesday tickets were sold for the 17 June draw, compared to 500,000 in an average week, indicating huge interest from New Zealanders in the massive jackpot.

The largest Big Wednesday First Division prize to date is a $12.8 million prize won by a Thames player in February 2006 and the largest NZ Lotteries prize won to date is a $19 million Powerball prize won by a New Plymouth player in April 2008.

At the next draw on Wednesday 24 June, Big Wednesday players will be in to win:
- $28 million;
- an Audi R8;
- a Porsche Cayenne;
- a $250,000 American Express Platinum card;
- a $250,000 cash prize towards a luxury travel package;
- a Four Winns V258 boat;
- and a $750,000 cash prize towards a bach.

While the top prize was not struck, a lucky Wellington MyLotto player has won $25,000 in Big Wednesday’s Second Chance draw. The winning ticket was sold online and the serial number is 387-52626180-13XX.

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