A BAROSSA grandmother has become an instant millionaire, taking home more than $1.8 million on Cross Lotto.

The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, bought a ticket from the Northern News newsagency at Gawler Central Shopping Centre and was one of 11 winners on a Cross Lotto draw on Saturday night.

She said, at first, she thought her ticket was a number away from winning a prize and she was going to come up empty-handed.

“We were just sitting in the lounge room at home when we discovered we had won,” the grandmother said.

“My partner had just checked his ticket and told me he hadn’t won anything, so I thought I’d better check mine.

“We checked the numbers and I crossed off five. I said to my partner ‘I missed it by just one number.

“Thankfully, I decided to check it again and that’s when I saw I had all six numbers.”

According to the winner, she has been playing the same numbers for the past 20 years.

She added she planned to “spoil” her family with the winnings.

“I’m going to buy a house for me and my partner and then I’m going to share it with my family,” she said.

“I’ve got children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so they will all get some money to help them out.

“When I told them all I had won, they didn’t believe me. Once they realised it was true, we all started crying we were so happy.

“It was a great way to spend Mother’s Day.”

Northern News newsagency owner Tom Lane said it was his business’ first big lotto winner.

“We’ve decorated the store with balloons and posters, and we’ve been telling all of our customers we’ve sold a major prize,” he said.

“Congratulations to our winner. I really hope it helps her fulfil her dreams in life.”