A Canberra man has discovered he is the mystery winner of a $40 million Powerball prize nearly two weeks after it was drawn.

The ACT resident held the only division-one winning entry across Australia in the draw on June 25 – but had no idea of his good fortune until he saw a news report earlier this week.

His winning ticket wasn’t registered to a player card or online account, which mean Powerball organisers had no way of contacting him.

He decided to check his ticket only after hearing there was an unclaimed $40 million prize in the national capital.

“I’m still in shock,” the lucky winner said on Wednesday.

“I just can’t believe it. I had no idea until a couple of days ago.

“I had completely forgot about my ticket until I saw on the news that they were looking for a winner with an unregistered ticket. I thought, ‘Maybe it’s me?’.

“The ticket had just been sitting in my wallet this whole time. I really still can’t believe it.”

Despite pocketing a mammoth prize, the winner said he would hold onto his job and save the money to set up generational wealth.

“I still plan to work. It’ll more be there for future children and grandchildren,” he said.

“I’m so happy. Thank you so much.”

His winning entry was purchased at Thistle Kiosk in Woden.
Thistle Kiosk owner Rudy Lu said the newsagency had sold seven division-one winning entries in the past 20 years.

They included previous Powerball division one wins: one that collected $35 million in August 2016, and another worth $10 million in June 2013.

“I took over the business two years ago and have sold two division one winning entries here. However, the business is long established and has sold over 20 division-one winning entries in the past 50 years,” Lu said.

“When I saw the news there was an unregistered winner in Canberra, I had a feeling it was us that sold it.”

He urged the latest winner to spend his newfound wealth wisely.