Australians playing in tonight's $70 million Oz Lotto jackpot have been urged to register to ensure they're notified right away after a win, with the life-changing phone call to take place a rapid five minutes after the draw. If players aren't signed up, they risk being left in the dark, officials say.
Speaking to Yahoo News, The Lott's Anna Hobdell said the unbelievably lucky $70 million winner will find out their fortune almost instantly this evening if they're registered. Hobdell will be the official to break the news, a phone call she's made many times before, but one that never loses meaning, being "able to change a life with a phone call". "As soon as we get the draw results... our team processes the paperwork, and essentially, we'll give them a call pretty much straight after that to give them the news," she told Yahoo News. "Then we pretty much harass them until we can get a hold of them."
Lotto winners are often left speechless after finding out their fortune. The Lott official noted that some people don't realize they have won initially, and in those cases, the team will issue a public callout to help track them down. "Sometimes winners can take up to two weeks to come forward if they are unregistered, and then it's a little bit harder to get a hold of them, and we basically just have to wait for them to check their ticket," Hobdell said.
But when the jackpot hits a staggering $70 million, you can bet plenty of Aussies will be on edge, eagerly checking their numbers. Hobdell explained that when it comes to life-changing wins like this, most winners are so stunned they can barely find the words. "There's a lot of shock," she said. "When it's a bigger prize, say, like $70 million, they are quite speechless. They can't really fathom that much of a prize, but when it's like a smaller amount, say, like $100,000, surprisingly, they're a bit more excited. But when it's the bigger prizes, they kind of go into shock and don't really say much. It can be a bit hard to convince some people over the phone late at night. So as you can imagine, some people might think they're getting pranked."
Tickets in the Oz Lotto draw 1626, drawn on Tuesday night, can be purchased at any licensed lottery outlet. Aussies have just hours to buy a ticket in the second-biggest jackpot of the year and one of the largest in the game’s 31-year history. A surge in last-minute entries is expected before the 7.30pm AEST cut-off. While the dream of winning a life-changing jackpot is undeniably tempting, Australians are being reminded to gamble responsibly. The odds of taking home the Oz Lotto Division 1 prize are extraordinarily slim — a staggering 1 in 62,891,499. Experts warn that lottery tickets should be seen as entertainment, not a financial strategy. Spending within your limits and knowing the odds is key. If gambling stops being fun or starts to feel like a problem, help is available through services like Gambling Help Online or by calling 1800 858 858.
As the clock ticks down to the draw, excitement builds across the nation. The $70 million Oz Lotto prize is up for grabs on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, and entries close at 7.30pm AEST. This is Oz Lotto's second biggest individual lottery winner opportunity this year, and thousands of entries per minute have been generated at lottery outlets and online.
Hobdell noted that the last time a $70 million Oz Lotto draw occurred was in January 2025, when the peak of sales was at 12.06pm on the day of the draw, with 4,297 tickets sold in a single minute. The anticipation is palpable, as the potential winner could enjoy a multi-million-dollar boost just in time for Easter.
“If one person takes home the entire $70 million prize, not only will they enjoy a multi-million-dollar boost this Easter, but they’ll immediately be crowned the title of Oz Lotto’s second biggest individual lottery winner ever,” Hobdell stated. “There’s something about a $70 million Oz Lotto jackpot that sparks the imagination of Aussies everywhere, igniting the family group chats, office syndicates, and dreamers across the country.”
Hobdell encouraged all players to register their tickets to The Lott Members Club to avoid missing out on a life-changing call should they win division one tonight. “Our biggest tip is to get in early to avoid missing out on the chance to transform your life, and be sure to register your entry to The Lott Members Club,” she said. “We can’t wait to hopefully make some more winning phone calls tomorrow night and transform the lives of more Aussies across the country.”
As the day progresses, the excitement and anticipation continue to build, with many Australians dreaming of what they would do with such a life-altering sum of money. Whether it’s buying a new home, traveling the world, or securing their family’s future, the possibilities are endless for the lucky winner.
With the odds stacked against them, players are reminded to play responsibly. The thrill of the game should not overshadow the importance of understanding the risks involved. The Oz Lotto jackpot represents not just a chance to win big, but also a reminder of the importance of responsible gambling.
As the countdown to the draw continues, one thing is clear: the $70 million Oz Lotto prize has captured the hearts and imaginations of Australians, making this evening’s draw one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.
For those who wish to participate in tonight's draw, ensure your ticket is registered and ready for the chance to be part of Oz Lotto history. The excitement is building, and with just hours left to enter, the stage is set for a potentially life-changing evening.
