Lucky Lotto player buys $5 million winning ticket while holidaying in Esperance

One lucky Lotto player’s Esperance holiday turned into a life-changing experience after claiming more than $5.1 million from last Saturday’s draw. The division one-winning ticket was bought from Boulevard News Esperance and was the sole division one winner, making it the first time a West Australian has won the entire Saturday Lotto prize this year. While claiming the multimillion-dollar prize at Lotterywest HQ in Perth, the winner said she had been grocery shopping in Esperance while holidaying in the area and decided to pick up the Slikpik 25 from the local newsagency. “I usually buy a Saturday Lotto ticket wherever I am and I like to support the country towns,” the winner said. “I was in another town when I heard on the news that the winning ticket was sold from the Esperance newsagency. “I couldn’t believe that I’d won, I checked the ticket again and again and had a bit of a cry.” When the ticket holder got back to Perth, the winner said her first stop was Lotterywest HQ. “I haven’t even been home to unpack the car,” she said. Lotterywest said the winner planned to pay off her mortgage and share the prize money around to help family and friends. Rochelle Rantanen owns Boulevard News Esperance with her husband Jerry. The Esperance newsagency has experienced a streak of good fortune in recent months after it sold a division two-winning ticket in September, before unearthing two more in October. Mrs Rantanen told the Kalgoorlie Miner on Monday the division one win had created a buzz among new and returning customers at the Esperance retailer. “It’s really exciting, everyone is congratulating us like we’re the ones who won it,” she said. “My staff said they’re really busy today and Monday is usually a quiet time ... so it’s really lovely that we won the first division.” Lotterywest spokesperson Emma Rogers said this year Saturday Lotto had created the most division one winners out of any game, with this win marking the 51st winner for 2023. “The entire State is also a winner, with the profits from each draw funding Lotterywest grants,” she said.