Lotto NZ changes winner announcements ahead of $23m jackpot

Lotto NZ has announced a change to draw announcements – withholding winning ticket locations until the next morning.

While winning numbers, prize amounts and the number of winners will continue to be released on the night of a draw, information about where the winning tickets were sold will be held until 11am the next day.

This will take effect from Wednesday, July 8.

Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will Hine said the change is in response to player feedback, and replicates an approach which was used during past Powerball Must Be Won draws.

"Players have told us they value having time to check their tickets themselves before seeing where winning tickets were sold," said Hine.

"This change gives players a wider window to see if they’re a big winner, while ensuring all key prize information continues to be available on draw night.

"Part of the excitement of playing Lotto is checking your own numbers and we want our players to have the chance to enjoy that experience."

"In a world where everything is getting faster and information is always at our fingertips, we’re taking the opportunity to slow things down a bit for the benefit of our players."

Lotto NZ added there would be no change to how or when players can check their tickets.

On Saturday, the Powerball jackpot of $20 million rolled over, meaning the draw on Wednesday will be $23 million.

Last Wednesday, it was revealed a Huntly store had sold all four Lotto first-division winning tickets. Lotto NZ also shared the most likely scenario about how this happened.