Retired Albany couple now $1.2m richer after buying winning Lotto ticket from Albany Lottery, News and Gifts

A retired Albany couple who became overnight millionaires after taking home a $1.2 million Lotto prize say they plan to use the cash to splash out on new carpets and curtains.

The couple, one of three WA winners of Saturday’s hefty division one prize, said they were astonished to see their numbers pop up on television after they bought the ticket from Albany Lottery, News and Gifts earlier that day.

“I bought the paper to check my numbers and realised we had more than a few,” the man said.

He said the good news had barely sunk in when a friend happened to ring to ask how the couple were doing that day.

“She called me and asked if I was okay, and I said well, yes, we’ve won the Lotto.”

Alongside the practical home furnishings, the couple in their 70s plan to share some of their winnings with close family.

Albany Lottery, News and Gifts owner Cathy Campbell said the winning division one ticket, worth a total $1,228,899 is the second highest cash prize they have ever sold.

“We did a $2.17m one in 2011, but this is the next biggest one after that,” she said.

“It’s always exciting selling a winning ticket, even if its only $1000 as people get excited about it.

“Everyone obviously plays to win and its really nice having some good news going around.

“We’re just excited we’ve created a new local millionaire.”

The Albany retailer was one of three WA stores that sold winning $1.2m tickets, with lucky shoppers from Nextra Express Ellenbrook and Yokine Lottery Centre and LPO also scoring big.