On January 14, 2009, Long-term Pottsville native Ray always had this feeling that he was going to win something big someday. But even the fifty-nine year old could not have imagined his astonishing million dollar keno jackpot win. The widower, who does not want to reveal his full name, won a total of $1.2 million keno jackpot at the Pottsville Beach Sports Club and became keno first NSW millionaire for 2009. And it all may not have happened if Ray, who is a tea plantation worker, had decided to go home after his first win of $26.
Ray said that he went down to the Pottsville Beach Sports Club in the morning to check on his keno ticket. He then put it through but only won a total of $26. He then decided to try again so he put another $100. Ray said that he when white and he was shaking when he confirmed his big win. Ray said that he usually did not play keno but had started playing the game about 6 weeks ago, buying a $100 ticket each week.
Originally from New Zealand, Ray move into Pottsville about twenty-years ago with his wife. But their plans to travel around Australia came into an abrupt halt when his wife died of cancer five years ago. Pottsville Beach Sports Club manager Greg Sawtell said that there could not be a more deserving winner than Ray because he is such a nice person.
Ray said that he has no plans to give up his job at the Madura Tea Estate where he has been working for almost fourteen years now. He said that the only things that he will buy with his winnings is a new car and a house with air-conditioning and a swimming pool.
[08-03]
Louis Blechdom
