Imagine this: you’re rifling through your wallet, cleaning out the glovebox, or perhaps shifting a stack of old receipts on the fridge, and there it is—a humble lottery ticket. What if that little slip of paper was worth a staggering $100 million?
For one lucky Australian, this isn’t just a daydream—it’s a real possibility. But as the days tick by, the mystery winner of 12 June’s jaw-dropping Powerball draw remains missing, and The Lott is growing increasingly anxious to unite them with their life-changing windfall.
It’s been over two weeks since the $100 million Powerball draw, and the winner’s identity is still a complete mystery. The winning ticket was purchased at a newsagent in Bondi Junction, Sydney’s bustling eastern hub.
Beyond that, the trail goes cold. There are no registered player details, no phone calls, no champagne-popping photo ops—just a nation of curious onlookers and a very patient team at The Lott.
Theories abound. Could the winner be a local who’s forgotten about their ticket? Or perhaps a tourist, now halfway around the world, blissfully unaware of their new multimillionaire status?
With no way to contact the ticket holder, The Lott can only wait and hope that someone, somewhere, checks their numbers and gets the shock of a lifetime.
Why the wait?
If you’re wondering why The Lott hasn’t simply handed over the cash, there’s a good reason. After every major win, there’s a mandatory two-week provisional period.
This pause is designed to give winners time to process the news, seek financial advice, and plan responsibly before the money lands in their account. It’s a safeguard against rash decisions and a chance for the winner to get their ducks in a row.
But with the waiting period now over, The Lott’s Matt Hart is urging the elusive winner to come forward.
‘Given the enormity of this prize, we’re very eager for this mystery player, who now shares the title of Australia’s third biggest lottery winner, to discover and, more importantly, start enjoying their good fortune,’ he said.
You might be surprised to learn that this isn’t the first time a major prize has gone unclaimed for weeks—or even months.
In 2018, a $55 million Powerball prize sat unclaimed for 175 days before a Melbourne player finally realised their luck.
According to The Lott, winning tickets are not uncommon to hide in plain sight: tucked in a wallet, lost in a car console, or magnetised to the fridge door.
So, if you bought a Powerball ticket at Bondi Junction around 12 June, now’s the time to check every nook and cranny.
The winning numbers for draw 1517 were 28, 10, 3, 16, 31, 14, and 21, with the Powerball number 6.
What happens if the prize isn’t claimed?
Here’s where things get interesting. In New South Wales, winners have six years to claim their prize. After that, the money doesn’t just vanish into thin air, but the $100 million won’t be redrawn if it goes unclaimed.
As Anna Hobdell from The Lott explained, unclaimed prize money is eventually returned to the community through donations, bonus draws, and player promotions.
But rest assured, The Lott will exhaust every avenue to find the rightful winner first, including reviewing ticket purchase details and even CCTV footage.
It’s the question we all love to ponder. Would you travel the world, buy a dream home, or set up your family for generations? Financial experts recommend taking a deep breath, seeking professional advice, and making a plan before splashing out.
After all, studies show that 87 per cent of lottery winners don’t do this, and some regret it.
But with six years on the clock, there’s still plenty of time for the winner to come forward, though the clock is most definitely ticking.
Have you ever forgotten about a lottery ticket, or do you have a lucky ritual for checking your numbers? What would you do if you suddenly found yourself $100 million richer? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Also read: $100 million Powerball win? Here’s what ATO and Centrelink want you to know
