The $20 Instant Scratch-Its ticket that delivered a $500,000 festive season windfall for a Cooktown woman. Photo: Supplied.
A lucky Cooktown woman has kicked off 2025 half a million dollars richer after winning the major prize on an Instant Scratch-Its ticket over the festive season.
The woman, who has not been named, said she had been left in shock and tears after discovering the Instant Scratch-Its ticket she initially thought she’d won $50,000 on was actually worth 10 times that amount.
The winning $20 Diamond 7’s Instant Scratch-Its ticket was purchased at Holloways Pop-Up Convenience at Holloways Beach, and the woman said the $500,000 prize would be “life changing” after she was contacted by an official from The Lott.
“This is a massive surprise!” she cried.
“Did you just say $500,000? Are you kidding? Holy hell! I thought I’d won $50,000 and that was crazy.
“Half a million dollars is going to be life changing; I can’t hold back the tears; I think it’s going to take me a while to process the news – I can’t stop shaking.
“I’ve always wanted a house of my own and now I’ll finally be able to buy somewhere.”
