Queensland grandfather wins entire $30.6 million Powerball jackpot

A retired grandfather from Queensland has become the sole winner of Thursday night’s Powerball jackpot, taking home a life-changing $30.63 million. The Division One prize, drawn in Powerball Draw 1523 on July 24, was claimed by a single ticket holder, making this one of the most significant solo wins in recent Powerball history.

The lucky man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, expressed disbelief and overwhelming excitement during a phone call from officials. “Holy sh**! Wow. Unbelievable!” he said, clearly stunned by the news. He described the moment as surreal, admitting he had never expected to receive such a call. While he had played lotteries casually for years, the most he had previously won was a modest Easter basket.

He had originally planned to play his usual numbers in a Saturday Lotto game but was swayed by the higher prize pool in Powerball. Using his longstanding set of numbers, he purchased the ticket that ultimately changed his life. “I usually play on Saturday night, but I saw Powerball had $30 million and thought I’d give it a go,” he explained.


Beyond personal enjoyment, the retiree said he intends to use the money to help others. “I’ve lived a good life and this will be used more for helping others. I’ll make sure it helps people who need it,” he added.

This win adds to a notable year of major lottery prizes across Australia. In June, one player scooped a $100 million Oz Lotto jackpot, and several multi-million-dollar prizes have been awarded through Powerball and other national games in 2024 and 2025.