Many Australian lottery winners aren’t splurging their cash on big-ticket items like cars or houses after taking home their winnings, according to a new report.
The Lott surveyed division one winners from 2024 – who won a combined $1.56 billion – on how they spent their millions, and most said they either invested in the future or lavished family and friends with gifts.
More than half of the winners said they set themselves up for the future with investments, while 38 per cent said they helped out loved ones with their shock windfall.
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The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell said these results aren’t surprising for division one winners, who take home life-changing amounts of money.
“Winners often tell us their bodies go into overdrive the moment they hear the life-changing news, with hearts racing, hands trembling, and even a wave of nausea setting in,” Hobdell said.
“But once the news sinks in, most winners can’t wait to share the joy with people in the know.
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“After the initial shock wears off, many winners are quick to tell their partners, family, or closest mates.
“Only about eight per cent keep it completely under wraps and tell absolutely no one.”
Plenty of lucky winners decided to buy some unique items, including a pair of hand-crafted leather shoes, a set of watches for their family, a hair transplant in Turkey, and some electric mountain bikes.
Another 33 per cent of winners said they bought a new car, but only 19 per cent reported buying a new house.
Some said they decided to travel the world with their newfound fortune, flying to destinations such as Thailand, Bali, Phuket, the Gold Coast and Alaska.
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And 17 per cent of the surveyed winners said they used their prize to donate to charity.
One newly deep-pocketed Aussie simply updated their old washing machine.
Reflecting on the life-changing injection into their bank account, a few winners also shared their advice for future lottery recipients.
“Treat your win as an opportunity to improve your circumstances, so don’t waste it,” one said.
“Tell very few people and write down who you told,” another warned.
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