Imagine the heart-stopping moment when you realise that a piece of paper worth $2.8 million is swirling around with your socks and shirts in the washing machine.

That's exactly what happened to one man from Western Australia, who experienced a whirlwind of emotions when he nearly washed away his fortune.

We've all been there, haven't we? Whether it's a $20 note, a receipt for something we meant to return, or a cherished photo, the washing machine has claimed more than its fair share of our belongings.

But for this Belmont man, the stakes were astronomically higher.

A man from Western Australia made a mistake with his winning lottery ticket. Image source: @NewshubNZ/X (Twitter)

The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, had purchased his ticket from Here’s Luck Lottery Centre in the Belmont Forum.

Little did he know that his casual act of tossing his trousers into the wash would lead to a near-catastrophic blunder.

It was only after the machine had started its cycle that he remembered the precious ticket was still in his pocket.

‘After five minutes, I realised and stopped the washing machine to grab the ticket,' he shared. ‘Fortunately, it was safe.’

The relief must have been immense, as the ticket was not just any piece of paper—it was a division one winning Saturday Lotto ticket.

After the scare, the man, in his late 20s, managed to claim his prize at Lotterywest HQ.

'I couldn’t think, I couldn’t sleep, I am still processing the win,' he admitted.

James Mooney, a spokesperson for Lotterywest, highlighted the importance of this story as a cautionary tale for all lottery players.

‘For this player, it all came out of the wash okay, but it’s a reminder for players to register their ticket to prevent what could be a multimillion-dollar mistake,’ he advised.

The fortunate winner was one of seven division one Superdraw winners across Australia, with others celebrating in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.

And while this story has a happy ending, it's a timely nudge for all of us to take better care of our lottery tickets.

So, how can you avoid making a similar mistake? Here are a few tips:

1. Register Your Ticket: Most lotteries offer a registration service where your ticket is linked to your identity. This means that even if you lose the physical ticket, the lottery knows you're the rightful owner of any winnings.

2. Keep It Safe: Treat your lottery ticket like cash. Keep it in a safe place where you won't forget it and where it won't accidentally end up in the laundry—or worse, the rubbish.

3. Check Your Pockets: Before tossing clothes into the wash, make it a habit to check all pockets. It's good practice not just for lottery tickets but for all valuables.

4. Photograph or Photocopy: Take a photo or make a photocopy of your ticket. While this won't replace the original, it can serve as evidence in case your ticket is damaged or questioned.

5. Stay Calm: If you do find yourself in a situation where your ticket is damaged, don't panic. Contact the lottery officials as soon as possible to find out what steps you can take.

Remember, folks, a little bit of precaution goes a long way, especially when millions are at stake. Keep your tickets safe, and who knows? The next big winner could be you.

Key Takeaways

• A man from Western Australia nearly lost a $2.8 million lottery win after putting his ticket in the washing machine.
• He realised the mishap five minutes into the wash and was able to retrieve the ticket, which remained intact.
• The winner, in his late 20s, claimed his prize at Lotterywest HQ, expressing relief and ongoing shock over the win.
• Lotterywest highlighted the importance of registering tickets to avoid losses.

Have you ever had a close call with a lottery ticket or know someone who has? Share your stories in the comments below.

 

[jojo3241]

My Lotto Tale
I used to have a single square ticket each week with my dad - same numbers every week - we did this for 3 years with hardly anything coming from it... so we decided to stop doing the ticket - 2 weeks later the numbers came up - "oh well" we said, "we had already decided not to beat ourselves up if the numbers came out".
A few years later we decided to do the same single square with the same original numbers. For a couple of years we got nothing back so again decided to stop the ticket - yep, 2 weeks later they were again the winning numbers .
We decided not to do tatts any more as obviously we were not meant to ever win - sigh!!!
The numbers are indelibly printed in my brain, and now that my dad has passed, when there is one of those mega mega draws I'll put a single square in - but I know that I shouldn't be wasting my money on a game of chance when I could be spending that money on fruit and vegetables. 🫛‍

 

[Bob’s Buddy]

I know it’s true, I get caught in it sometimes but generally stick to one square in Oz Lotto that costs me $1.50 so I figure that doesn’t take too much off my grocery bill.

My Lotto Tale
I used to have a single square ticket each week with my dad - same numbers every week - we did this for 3 years with hardly anything coming from it... so we decided to stop doing the ticket - 2 weeks later the numbers came up - "oh well" we said, "we had already decided not to beat ourselves up if the numbers came out".
A few years later we decided to do the same single square with the same original numbers. For a couple of years we got nothing back so again decided to stop the ticket - yep, 2 weeks later they were again the winning numbers .
We decided not to do tatts any more as obviously we were not meant to ever win - sigh!!!
The numbers are indelibly printed in my brain, and now that my dad has passed, when there is one of those mega mega draws I'll put a single square in - but I know that I shouldn't be wasting my money on a game of chance when I could be spending that money on fruit and vegetables. 🫛‍