It has taken a couple of years, but Monica Andrew finally has her big winning ticket.
That is, she has sold her first big winning ticket.
The weekend’s big Lotto Powerball ticket of $17.1 million was bought at Mrs Andrew’s The Market store in Twizel.
The winning ticket was made up of $17 million from Powerball first division and $166,667 from Lotto first division.
"I’ve had the shop for two years and it’s my first big win,’’ the store owner said.
"I had a ticket myself ... I was thinking more like that rather than actually selling it.
"It’s very exciting for the town. It’s such a vibrant town this time of the year. It’s just a wee added extra."
As of yesterday afternoon Mrs Andrew had not seen the winning ticket holder.
"That’s up to the winners to go somewhere and claim it or just ring Lotto direct."
She said there had been a lot of people in to check their tickets, much more than her usual Sunday custom.
"It’d be really nice if a local had won it. I’ve got quite a few regular customers that come in for every draw."
She said it could have been one of many people who pass through the town on their way to another holiday destination or one of the holidaymakers who spend time in Twizel.
"Who knows? There’s a lot of holidaymakers in the area at the moment."
The Lotto first division prize was shared with five other winners, one of them in Mosgiel.
