A LUCKY punter who scooped a €1million Lotto prize has told how it was a “shock to the system” – and revealed his routine that helped him bag the cash.
A number of new Irish millionaires visited the National Lottery headquarters this week to collect their winnings from Daily Million and Lotto Plus draws.
Among the group was a man from Cork who bagged the €1million top prize in the 9pm Daily Million draw on March 29.
His winning ticket was bought at Healy’s SuperValu in Dunmanway, Co Cork.
And he has since revealed his routine for checking the Lotto that led to the big win.
He said: “I’ve been playing my own personal numbers for well over 20 years.
“There’s been a few small wins here and there, but I still can’t believe I hit the jackpot – I had a feeling it would happen someday!
“When I buy my tickets, I hold them until Sunday morning to check alongside my morning cup of tea.
“I was really taken aback, it was a real shock to the system.”
The lucky punter now plans to have a honeymoon after years of marriage.
What’s more, a Donegal player also bagged the €1 million top prize from the 2pm Daily Million draw on March 10.
The winning ticket was purchased at Kernan’s in Tullygay, Newmills Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
The punter stored the winning ticket in layers of envelopes and sandwich bags before bringing it to Lotto bosses to collect their prize.
They said: “I fantasise about winning the Lottery as a hobby, so to be here, in the winner’s room, it’s very surreal.
“We play every now and again, and on that particular day, I casually bought a ticket as I was passing by – not thinking much of it.
“It wasn’t until the day after when I checked it. I was genuinely in a state of shock and disbelief.”
And a Dublin couple also collected their €1million prize from the Lotto Plus 1 draw held on February 12.
The ticket had been purchased online and the winner admitted he only checked after encouragement from colleagues.
To reveal the news to his partner, the lucky punter showed her the notification on his phone and brought home a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
He said: “I was sitting behind my co-workers, and my eyes were immediately drawn to the green notification saying, ‘You’ve won €1,000,000’.
“I just went silent, I didn’t know what to do with myself – it was pure shock.
“I couldn’t find the words to tell her, so I just showed her my phone and the notification. Of course, I had to bring home a bottle of bubbly to celebrate.”
The couple is now planning to pay off their mortgage, take a holiday and possibly buy a Ferrari.
Meanwhile, the Lotto jackpot for tonight’s draw is estimated at a whopping €3.5million.
Tickets can be purchased in-store, via the National Lottery app, or at www.lottery.ie before the 7.45pm cut-off time.