£24.5 Million Lotto Winner to Swap Taxi Cab for Ferrari
Last Updated: Wednesday 3rd January 2018, 15:13
There were jubilant scenes today as 50-year-old dad-of-five Amo Riselli received a £24.5 million cheque from the Lotto draw on Wednesday 27th December, even though he didn't match all six main numbers. The Gloucester taxi driver will now splash out on a Ferrari and a new home with a swimming pool after claiming the game’s jackpot in a must-be-won draw.
How to Win Lotto Without Matching the Full Winning Line
There was no jackpot winner and Amo was the only player to match five main numbers and the Bonus Ball in the post-Christmas draw, but as it was a must-be-won game, the cabbie claimed the entire prize pool for himself.
The special event was triggered when the Lotto jackpot crept over its jackpot cap of £22 million on Saturday 23rd December and there was no winner. Under game rules, the full amount has to be paid out in draw following the cap being breached, with the sum rolling down to the next prize tier with winners if no one matches all six main balls. The top prize rolled down on two previous occasions in 2017 and Amo’s prize stands as the largest won on a single ticket during the entire 12 months.
Looking After the Winning Ticket
At a press conference to unveil his identity to the public, the winner confessed he’d driven around with the £24.5 million ticket in his glove compartment for two days before he finally checked his numbers. On looking up the Lotto results and discovering his good fortune, he entrusted his mother Maria, who turns 80 next month, with the sacred slip. The Italian matriarch kept the ticket in a glass jar in her kitchen until Amo contacted the National Lottery to claim his bounty.
It is important to keep your Lotto tickets in a safe and secure place, as you need them to claim prizes. Playing online takes the away the risk of losing your entries and you even receive an email telling you about any wins, which is handy if you forget to check your numbers. Find out more on the Lottery Tickets page.
Lotto Winner’s Plans
Amo has pledged to quit his job as a taxi driver, having plied his trade for 12 years. However, he did still complete some of his regular jobs over the New Year weekend, despite knowing he was due a fortune.
He is now looking to snap up a four-bedroom house befitting his new status and insists he will stay in the Gloucester area. In addition, he has his heart set on visiting Las Vegas, having fun with his family and getting behind the wheel of a new Ferrari.
Your next chance to play Lotto is tonight, when the top prize stands at £5.3 million. Good luck!
