"Who Is the Mystery Winner? Australia Abuzz as $90 Million Jackpot Remains Unclaimed for Two Months"

Australian Powerball Winner Remains Unidentified for Two Months
Authorities Cross-Check CCTV and Sales Records Amid Ongoing Search
Anonymous Purchase Hinders Direct Contact with Jackpot Owner

The winner of the third-largest jackpot in Australian Powerball history-100 million Australian dollars (approximately 90 billion KRW)-has yet to come forward, even two months after the drawing, fueling widespread curiosity. The lottery authorities are cross-referencing CCTV footage and sales records in an effort to track down the winner.

According to international media outlets such as the Daily Mail and New York Post on August 12 (local time), Australian lottery officials announced that the third-largest jackpot in history was drawn during Powerball draw number 1517, which took place on June 12.

Powerball ticket. Daily Mail

However, more than 60 days after the drawing, no one has claimed the prize. The winning ticket was sold at Bondi Junction Newsagency and Internet Cafe in eastern Sydney. The issue is that the purchaser was an 'anonymous buyer' who did not register as a member. Because of this, authorities have no direct way to contact the winner and are painstakingly reviewing CCTV footage and transaction records at the point of sale to identify the 'jackpot winner.' Grace Martino, a staff member at the lottery retailer, said, "None of our regular customers have won," adding, "It could have been a passerby, a backpacker, or a tourist."

In Australia, the deadline for claiming lottery winnings varies by state. In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, winners must claim their prize within six years. In Queensland, the deadline is seven years, while in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, there is no time limit. However, if the claim is delayed by more than one year, an administrative fee is charged.

On average, winners typically claim their prize within 10 days of the drawing, making this nearly two-month silence exceptionally rare. The lottery authority stated, "If you register as a member, we can contact you immediately after a win, streamline the identity verification process, and ensure the safe payment of your winnings," encouraging registration.

Meanwhile, the largest jackpot in Australian Powerball history was 150 million Australian dollars (about 135 billion KRW), won by a man in Adelaide earlier this year. In 2019, a nurse in Sydney claimed 107 million Australian dollars (about 96.3 billion KRW), setting the second-highest record. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are known to be approximately one in 134 million.