Lottery player mistakes AU$40m for AU$40K, feels shocked after realizing

• A single division one winning ticket held by a Castle Hill, New South Wales, man took down the Powerball jackpot on Thursday
• The winner scored AU$40m but initially thought that his prize was only AU$40,000
• With the thought of winning the life-changing prize sinking in, the lucky man and his wife are now planning on buying a new beach house, a new car and a home

One incredibly fortunate lottery player will be looking forward to buying a beach house, a new home and a car, after scoring a life-changing prize.

Interestingly, the winner, a Castle Hill, New South Wales, Australia, resident, initially mistook his multi-million-dollar Powerball win for a five-figure prize.

Single division one ticket takes down Powerball jackpot

The fortunate winner purchased his Powerball lottery ticket via The Lott’s official mobile app.

The lucky player entered the game’s draw 1561 on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

That particular Powerball drawing saw winning numbers 27, 13, 15, 19, 14, 3 and 7, along with the all-important Powerball number 18, drawn.

Across Australia, there was a single division one winning entry that matched all numbers from that particular draw, the one held by the Castle Hill man.

As a result, he scored the game’s jackpot for a mind-blowing AU$40m ($28.7m) payday.

In addition to the top prize, the player’s PowerHit entry won him division two 19 times, as well as other divisional prizes, increasing his total payout to a sweet AU$40,812,146.60 ($29.3m).

The winner thought that this time, he might just win big from Powerball

After the drawing, an official from The Lott gave the Castle Hill man a call to give him the good news.

While at home and enjoying a football game, the winner initially didn’t answer the phone, thinking somebody may have dialed him by mistake.

Then, The Lott sent a text message which prompted the winner to check the lottery app.

Seeing The Lott’s app, initially, the lucky man thought that he had won AU$40,000 ($28,700).

Moments later, the man was surprised and realized that wasn’t the case.

"At first, I thought I’d won $40,000. It actually took a little bit of time to compute. Then I realized it was $40 million," the incredibly lucky man said.

He added that winning such a life-changing sum feels surreal and crazy, saying that he is still in shock.

"I never win anything! But I have to admit, when I put this ticket on this afternoon, I thought I just might win," the Castle Hill resident added.

Joined by his wife, the winner asked the lottery official to give her the good news.

The husband then said that as his wife was wearing a red shirt, her face became the same color out of excitement.

The winner’s wife added that they already have plans about the newfound fortune.

She explained they can now buy a beach house, a new home and a new car.

Last but not least, the woman acknowledged that she and her husband won’t ever need to work again.

Image credit: Pixabay.com