Blackall's Barcoo Hotel has hosted some big parties before but none to celebrate an incredible $1.9 million win at Keno.
That's what happened in the central west Queensland town on the weekend when a man from Roma, working as a contractor on a road-building job in the district, replayed a small prize and hit the jackpot on Saturday.
His win was confirmed by Keno on Monday morning but the stunned man said he didn't really think he'd believe it until the money was in his bank account.
"I'm certainly hoping it's real," he said.
"I played a game of Keno on Friday night and checked my ticket at the pub on Saturday.
"I'd won a small prize, so I replayed it.
"Then a little while later, I'm being told I'd won almost $2 million.
"I didn't believe the staff in the hotel. I still don't believe them!
"When I checked the ticket, I completely froze up.
"It's very exciting!"
By late morning, news of the win had travelled round the town of 1000, giving the pub staff plenty of action for the next few hours.
Off-duty barman Jimmy Maye said a fellow barman had texted him with news of the win but he didn't believe it and went for a swim.
A couple of hours later, when he walked into work, it was 'heaving' in his words, after the winner put $5000 on the bar.
With almost $2 million about to hit his bank account, the stoked winner didn't need prompting to share his plans for his prize.
"We'd love to buy a new home," he said. "I'll certainly keep working for now and this will make things so much easier."
Barcoo Hotel manager Kerrie Hallam said she couldn't believe it when they realised someone in the venue had won big.
"You beauty," she exclaimed.
"When the win came through everyone was wondering who had been playing the 10 spot and when the customer came forward, he thought there's no way it could be him. But it was.
"Everyone was so excited for him. We have never had a win like this at the hotel.
"We wish him and his family every success with their newfound fortune. Congratulations!"
The last time there was a sizeable winner with the Barcoo Hotel's Keno game was 2019, when a local man won $54,278 with a 7 spot game.
Signs in the bar also boast of a 2013 win of $27,685 with an 8 spot game, and a 9 out of 10 spot winner in 2012, who walked away with $10,000.
Jimmy Maye said try as hard as it could, the town only drank $2500 of the money on the bar.
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