Unemployed Sydney IT worker wins $17 million

 

Plans to start his own business.

A computer industry worker made redundant in the financial crisis has scooped $17 million in prize money after winning Powerball.

The man, from Sydney's west, bought the ticket for $57.30 at a newsagency in Hoxton Park.

He said mounting debts after losing his job in the computer industry had forced him to sell his house a few months ago.

"It will take me a long time to settle in with the idea of winning $17 million but the future is rosy," he said.

"I've been studying and now I'm looking forward to starting my own business with my winnings."

He said when he checked the numbers on his computer last night he thought he "might have won $16 million.

"But I wasn't sure if I was daydreaming or I'd just lost my mind," he said.


Unemployed Sydney IT worker wins $17 million
"Being a currently unemployed IT person myself I'm amazed he could afford to gamble $57.30. I bought a lotto ticket as well but I spent $6.45 and had to think twice about it. I guess at the end of ..."
By deonast
 
 
 
Comments: 4
HyRax
Feb 13, 2010 10:24 AM
I really really really hope he doesn't squander his money like so many before him have done. I guess he's had the experience of losing everything so he'll be one of the smart ones this time, but man - even if he just puts it all in the bank on a lousy 5% interest, after tax he'd still be earning about $340,000 per year - free money! Who needs to invest?
anonymous
Feb 13, 2010 12:04 PM

@HyRax, it's even better than that - how about around $460,000 after tax? Good on him, anyway.

FLashy
Feb 13, 2010 12:47 PM
Being un-employed I suppose doesn't mean he was poor.
The $57.30 entry might have alarmed some of us who are employed.
HyRax has the right idea, why gamble with it on a new venture, just retire now.
deonast
Feb 14, 2010 10:50 PM
Being a currently unemployed IT person myself I'm amazed he could afford to gamble $57.30. I bought a lotto ticket as well but I spent $6.45 and had to think twice about it.
I guess at the end of the day the odds aren't in your favour unless you have the money to increase your chances.
Well lets hope he doesn't blow it, and yes I would retire and live off investments with that kind of money.
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