The winning Keno Classic 8 Spot entry had been bought at Newmarket Hotel, East Albury, on Friday.

The man said he wanted to put his prize towards a new home.

"I was just at the venue catching up with some mates," he told a Keno official on Tuesday.

"I wasn't watching the draw, but I saw the win flash up on the screen, and I instantly thought, 'Imagine if that's me'.

"I waited to see if anyone went to claim the prize, but no one seemed to be rushing up to the counter.

"So I went up, slid the ticket over the counter and said, 'I'm ready for the good news'.

"They said to me, 'Yeah, you've won! Congratulations!'.

"I couldn't believe it at first, I was just kidding when I said I was the winner, but I really am the winner."

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"I'm still in shock today. It hasn't sunk in!

"It's been quite challenging lately, so this will make a massive difference to my life."

Newmarket Hotel's Dean Nicholson said the result was "fantastic news" and the whole team sent their congratulations.

"Wins like this generate such a buzz in the venue," he said.

" All our patrons are hoping they're next to win big."

Keno is a game played at about 3500 pubs and clubs across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and ACT, with a draw occurring about every three minutes.

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