General News
12 January, 2026
New year’s $3m keno win at Cazalys
A CAIRNS woman in her 60s made a simple mistake with her regular Keno numbers, leading to a $2.9 million win.
The Cazalys patron scored the Keno Classic 10 Spot jackpot in Keno draw 896 on Friday 2 January 2026, winning $2,973,012.20.
When an official from Keno spoke with the winner, who wants to remain anonymous, she said: “Thank you, I’m so great today, although it actually still hasn’t fully sunk in".
“The funny thing is I always play the same numbers but this particular time, I accidentally selected 71 instead of 61 but I just left it. I’m so glad I did.
“No one really knows about it yet. I only told my husband yesterday. I poured a glass of wine for us and said: ‘Guess what?’
“I just can’t believe it. We knew straight away that the first thing we’re going to do is buy a house or an apartment.
“I wasn’t watching the game, but someone next to me said there’d been a big win in the venue of almost $3 million. I just thought, ‘Oh my God, I hope it’s me’.
“Then I checked my ticket and the screen said to call in. My heart started pounding. I started checking my ticket on every machine and the same message kept coming up.
“I didn’t panic or celebrate initially. I just wanted to make sure it was true.
“It’s the best news ever. I’m going to help all my siblings and family members.
“I’m in my 60s so you have no idea how much it means. Thank you.”
Cazalys Cairns group general manger Jason Wale said he was thrilled the venue had sold another major prize-winning Keno entry, including a $5.9m ticket, its fourth in recent years.
A Kuranda woman won $85,000, also last Friday, after buying a ticket at the Barron Falls Hotel.
