Last Friday, Tatts officials announced $200,000 had been won by a lucky Territorian.

As the entry was not registered, they had no way of contacting the winner to break the exciting news.

The mystery was short lived as a group of "best mates", all whom work at the same pub, claimed the prize yesterday.

"There's six of us in the syndicate so this is great news," one of the winners said yesterday morning.

"We all work together at a local pub and we're best mates so it couldn't get any better.

"A couple of my mates couldn't contain themselves. It was hilarious to watch."

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The winners revealed they had only recently formed a private syndicate to play lottery games.

"We've been running this syndicate every Thursday for the last few months. It's been a roaring success," he said.

Split six ways, each will receive just over $33,000 and in true Territory style, will be celebrating with a few drinks.

"We will probably just use it to pay off some bills and party," the winners said.

The entry was purchased at Casuarina Nextra News, and was the first big win in a while for the store.

Casuarina Nextra News manager Melissa Peacock said she was thrilled to see the $200,000 prize go to a group of locals.

"We were so excited when we realised we'd sold a division one winning entry and we're so happy to see it claimed by a group of locals," she said.

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