What a lotto luck
Gold Coasters celebrate astonishing run of jackpot wins
GOLD Coasters are on track to have a record year of division one lotto wins with 11 jackpots in just six months.
In 2015, there were 20 division one wins on the Coast, but if lucky punters continue to pick the winning numbers the record could be easily smashed.
The Gold Coast has slightly less wins than Brisbane, but when it comes to the population size the Gold Coast is far luckier.
The Coast has almost two wins per 100,000 people compared to Brisbane’s 0.6 wins per 100,000 people.
Tatts Group Lotteries spokesman Matt Hart wouldn’t reveal how many tickets were sold annually on the Coast, but said the city was consistently a hotspot for winners.
“Anecdotal research has shown people are relaxed and
like to dream while on holiday, so they are more likely to buy a lotto ticket.”
Division one winners on the Coast this year have been aged between 40 and 90.
Brittany Capps checked out a yellow convertible McLaren Spider 650s at The Spit yesterday, but with a price tag of close to $500,000 she said it would only be a reality with a big lotto win.
McLaren general manager Paul Hewitt said that was how many people thought of luxury cars.
“We have lots of people that walk in and say: ‘when I win lotto I’ll come back’,” he said.
“Nobody has identified themselves as a lotto winner ... we may well have had one through though, people are a bit discreet, but it doesn’t
mean it hasn’t happened.”
Psychic Matt Morley said the Gold Coast was most likely a lucky city because of the positive energy in the town.
“The Gold Coast is a vibrant area with a positive outlook,” he said.
Bond University statistics expert Professor Terry O’Neill said those who were hoping positive energy would help them win the lotto shouldn’t hold their breath.
“The odds of being struck by lightning are about one in a million,” he said.
“That means you are eight times more likely to be struck by lightning than win the lotto.”
Prof O’Neill said whether a newsagency or area had already sold a winning ticket did not change the odds.
“Every draw should be independent,” he said.
“The more interest you get in a draw the higher the chance it will be won but that doesn’t increase the chance you will win.”
Newsagent owner Anthony Milligan, who has had two division one winners this year, said the wins had increased business.
“It most definitely increases ticket sales,” he said.
“It’s a conversation starter straight away – people are feeling positive and give it a go.”