$1K to $1 million: Vikki’s second Deaf Lottery win

It was a quiet Thursday morning when the Deaf Lottery team set out to tell Vikki she’d won $1 million with a $20 ticket book.

So quiet, in fact, that nobody picked up the phone.

Vikki had been a Deaf Lottery VIP for so long that the landline number on her account had long since been disconnected. With no luck reaching her by phone, the team trawled through her account, hoping her email address was still active.

Thankfully, it was.

That morning, our Head of Marketing and Sales, Ian, sent Vikki an email. She replied with her mobile number, and the team was finally able to deliver the life-changing news.

And just like that, Deaf Lottery made another millionaire!

But there’s an extra twist to Vikki’s story. This wasn’t her first win.

A VIP since 2018, Vikki had previously won $1,000 in 2023. At the time, she thought that was huge. Little did she know she’d one day be celebrating a $1 million win.

“I suppose it’s been more like a donation to me than buying tickets,” Vikki said.

“When I got the email, I thought it was a scam. Then they rang me. Oh my gosh, I just couldn’t believe it. I was speechless. It was a complete and utter surprise.”

A secret too big to keep

When Vikki found out she’d won, she was preparing to pick up her sister and brother-in-law from the airport. They were returning from a holiday in South Africa and were staying with her for a week before heading home to Tasmania. 
With news this big, Vikki had to resist the urge to tell them straight away.

“I picked them up from the airport and thought, ‘Don’t say anything, don’t say anything. Wait till we get home!’” she laughed.

After listening to all their holiday stories over a coffee, Vikki finally decided it was time to share her own news.

“I said, ‘I’ve just got something to tell you,’ and showed them the email trail and the phone call. They got a bit of a shock, and then nobody could sleep!”

“I swore them to secrecy before I told them. I said, ‘Please don’t tell anyone, but I have to tell somebody!’”

A million-dollar change for the future

At 59, Vikki works as a stock-taker at a supermarket, leaving home at 4 am most mornings. With retirement getting closer, the win means more than a few exciting purchases. It gives her greater financial security for the years ahead.

“I’ve now got security going forward because I’m getting towards retirement age. I don’t have a lot in super, and I’ve been thinking I’m going to be on the pension.

“This is just going to change everything for me going forward.”

Vikki has already cashed out $40,000 in Flight Centre gift cards and is looking into her options.

She might even share some of her newfound good fortune with her nieces and nephews, who love to travel.

“If I’m feeling generous, I might get them a voucher,” she said.

One trip she’s particularly keen on is a return to Western Australia, which she last visited around 40 years ago.

Why Vikki will keep supporting

Winning the Deaf Lottery twice hasn’t changed Vikki’s mind about buying tickets. She plans to keep going, knowing that her participation also contributes to a cause she believes in.

“You’ve got to be in it to win it,” she said.

“And if someone like me can win twice, it means anybody can!”

From all of us at Deaf Lottery, we’re thrilled for Vikki and excited to see what this next chapter brings. And we’re especially glad she’s updated her contact details – just in case we need to call her about a third win in the future!

Want to get behind a great cause? Grab your Deaf Lottery tickets today.

*name changed to protect privacy.