“Pensioner Wins 35 Million Kroner from Empty Bottle Return – Celebrates with Sparkling Water”

It was Monday morning that pensioner Inger Johanne Eidsvåg (76) stopped by the Extra store at Hitra in Trøndelag, where she and her husband Willy Eidsvåg (79) have a cottage.

The plan was to shop until May 17, but first she had to pledge some bottles.

– As usual, I had some empty goods with me which I handed in, and printed on the Pantelotterie. Then a note came out saying that I had won, Eidsvåg tells Dagbladet.

Be quiet

In the past, she has won NOK 100-150 on betting her deposit, but this time the number was astonishingly high.

– I thought there were a lot of zeroes, says the 76-year-old.

– I brought my husband with me, and he joined in counting zeros too. Then it suddenly became one million.

She says that they both fell silent when they realized what had actually happened.

After settling down a bit, they alerted the employees at the store.

– They were on fire, took pictures and gave me flowers, so it was great, says the 76-year-old.

Was homeless – won 52 million

Celebrated with bubbles

The trip then went straight to Vinmonopolet.

– I bought a bottle of sparkling water, and we had a glass in the middle of the morning today. Otherwise, the day has been as usual, says Eidsvåg.

So far, she has not been able to think about what she will use the money for.

– But there is always something to use them for, says Eidsvåg.

This is what the Lotto winners did with the money

The Eidsvåg couple live in Trondheim, but as pensioners they spend much of their time at the cabin, she says.

According to tradition, May 17 will be holidayed there. This year in the rain, she adds.

Deputy manager Robert Rolandsen at Extra Hitra is delighted that a customer walked away with the big prize.

– This was great fun. Congratulations, and very nice that someone won in our shop. She seemed very pleased. It is absolutely incredible to get such a big profit after betting a few empty bottles, says deputy manager Robert Rolandsen at Extra Hitra to the Pantelotteriet.