Ushan Iddamalgoda doesn’t believe in secrets.
But if luck had a postcode, it might just be 6109.
Known around Maddington as the man who helps others win the lottery, Ushan is now celebrating another Division One victory, his 26th.
Yes, twenty-six.
“I feel so good,” he said, seated behind the counter of his Good Fortune Lottery Centre at Maddington Central, as I interviewed him.
“Very lucky. Very happy is the word.”
The winning ticket, worth just under $2 million, was sold from his store in last week’s Saturday Lotto draw. While the winner hasn’t come forward yet, Ushan has a feeling it’s only a matter of time.
“People are checking their tickets. Enthusiastic customers, going through drawers and wallets and bags,” he laughed. “I just hope they come and collect it. Last time, someone didn’t, and $2.5 million had to go back to the community.”
That’s the thing about Lotto in WA, it’s not all about the money. Operated by the government, Lotterywest redirects unclaimed prizes and profits to hospitals, community groups and charities.
Ushan is also passionate about that.
He said, “I donate a lot to local charities. One is in Gosnells; I’m the main donor. Not Lotterywest, me personally,” he said.
For someone who’s made a name out of selling winning tickets, you’d think Ushan might be a bit more hush-hush about how it all works. But he’s open about everything.
“There’s no secret,” he said. “We just wish people well. We guide them. If you don’t know how to play, we’ll show you. We won’t charge you for that.”
He explained that the most popular game is the Saturday Lotto, and players can either pick their own numbers or go with a “slip pick” generated by the machine.
“You get 12 games for only $11.40. That’s not expensive,” he said. “You could even play all week for about $20. And people win. All the time.”
Over the years, Ushan has sold three Division One tickets in a row, a feat he believes no one else in the country has achieved. And while some might rub a Buddha statue for luck, customers now rub Ushan’s belly instead.
“I’ve been on the news before,” he said. “People came in just to rub my belly.”
He’s run lottery kiosks for more than two decades, but these days he focuses on just one shop.
He stated, “I came to Australia 25 years ago and started with a small kiosk. I had five at one point, but now I’ve kept just this one. I enjoy it here. The people around me are so nice.”
Though he’s helped others win millions, Ushan hasn’t spent big on himself.
“No big plans. I just ordered a new car. I like cars,” he said. “I have six already; this one is just for fun.”
And for those who play every week and think they’ll never win?
“Treat it like a donation to the community,” Ushan said. “If you don’t win, your money still goes to charity. But people do win. Trust me. I’ve seen it.”
So if your old Lotto ticket is still sitting somewhere in a kitchen drawer or coat pocket, Ushan is encouraging you to “bring it in as soon as possible.”
