By Carole Levy
The store has been owned by husband and wife, Carlo and Christine Addamo, for 17 years, with daughter Loretta as the manager for the past nine.
The highly knowledgeable team of Jed, Deb and Brenda offer 30 years’ experience between them. They are known for their excellent service and for forging relationships with the large number of regular customers – and put out the welcome mat for any newcomers.
“People who come into our store know straight away how well it’s run and it’s great to see them become part of the Target Lotto ‘family’. They leave with a smile on their faces – and their fingers crossed that they’ll be the next lucky winner,” says Carlo.
“If it was up to us, everyone would be a big winner!”
Being one of only a handful of stores in Australia with four terminals means speedy service, so no long queues.
“We run 70 different types of syndicates every week, the largest variety in Australia. And we’re consistently ranked in the top three for total sales in the country. To put that in perspective, there are nearly 4000 stores across Australia, so to be right up there is very rewarding – and creates excitement-plus,” Carlo says.
ON THE WINNING SIDE
He’d seen from media reports that Target Lotto in Hoppers Crossing was one of the luckiest stores in Australia, so Jack* – led by his self-confessed superstitious leanings – drove from his home in Sunshine West to buy his Tattslotto ticket.
Jack won more than $1.9 million on that life-changing first visit.
In April this year, a middle-aged man who took a 30-minute drive to the store every week for 10 years finally struck it lucky. He won $754,973 – the same amount won in the same draw by a Hoppers Crossing local.
Then there’s the Werribee grandmother, a pensioner who’s played weekly at Target Lotto for many years. In August this year, she won more than $2.8 million in a Saturday Tattslotto Superdraw.
Mary* said when she checked the numbers and saw she’d won, she just couldn’t believe it.
“I was so stressed I’d got it wrong that I called my son and made him check it on his computer,” she tells. “When he saw I’d really won, he kept saying “oh my god, oh my, oh dear” – so I knew then it was real and could relax.
“I’ve got four kids and five grandkids so I’m going to help them out. I’m going to buy myself a house and a new car with some of the winnings.”
The lottery hotspot has sold 35 first division wins all up, six of them in the past 30 months – one a first division share in Monday Lotto just 10 weeks ago.
• Names changed for privacy
SYNDICATES SHINE
Carlo says the luckiest tickets have been from the store’s syndicates, with customers taking weekly syndicates ranging from $20 to $90.
These are usually permanent syndicates, with the same numbers selected for each draw. One ticket for under $40 can cover every main draw for the week.
“Why not drop in and select a syndicate and we will reserve your spot on a weekly basis?” Carlo suggests. “And I encourage customers to join our Facebook page to keep up to date with in-store offers and promotions, as well as stories about big wins.”
NEXT BIG EVENT
December 28, 2019
Saturday Tattslotto $30 million Megadraw is the biggest of the year.
Lucky Christmas – Christmas Tattslotto gift packs are the perfect surprise to put under the family tree, or as a gift for work colleagues and friends. They range from $20-$100 and include various games and instant Scratch-Its.
In store, a Tattslotto Christmas tree is covered with Scratch-Its, from $30-$100. Make your choice and you could be another winner at the luckiest store in Australia.
Target Lotto, Hoppers Crossing Shopping Centre,
50 Old Geelong Road (next to train station, Hoppers Crossing.
Opens 8am-7pm Monday-Saturday; 8am-5pm Sunday
Inquiries: 9749 1303; email targetlotto1@gmail.com; facebook.com/targetlottohopperscrossing
