Everyone dreams of it: winning the State Lottery. Last year, a resident of Bladel won 15 million euros with half a ticket. And this year too, no less than thirty million euros are available for the lucky winner of the New Year’s Eve draw. Bjorn Rosner guides people who have suddenly won a major prize. In the radio program Afslag Zuid he tells how winners fare after that one life-changing moment. “I give first aid for happiness.”
Anyone who wins more than ten thousand euros at the State Lottery will come into contact with Rosner. “From that amount onwards, we no longer think it is responsible for you to simply collect the money from the local Primera,” he says.
This does not mean that winners automatically end up in an extensive guidance process. “It varies greatly from person to person,” says Rosner. “One simply needs more support than the other.”
This is different with the main prize of thirty million euros. “As the winner of such a bizarre prize, you may spend half a day providing our information,” he explains. “But that seems more than worth it to me.”
Generous Brabanders
During his time at the Staatsloterij, Rosner already guided many Brabanders. “They are not stingy at all and often want to share the news with everyone right away.” The money usually goes to long-cherished dreams. “A holiday, a camper or a house. It may sound cliché, but it is reality.”
Rosner also took action for the Bladel resident who won fifteen million euros. “Contrary to what many people think, we do not immediately compete with the winner,” he says. “For many people, the news first has to sink in and they want to redeem their fate as quickly as possible. The real feeling of happiness often only comes afterwards.”
Keep it small
Rosner advises winners against shouting their happiness from the rooftops. “Keep the news small. It is difficult for us to determine who you do and do not want to inform, but you want to prevent friends or family who you have not spoken to in years suddenly showing up at your door asking if you would like to go out for dinner.”
The duration of the winners’ guidance varies greatly. “We speak to one winner once and never again, while we are still in touch with another lucky person years later.” Rosner gives everyone one piece of advice, regardless of how long the process takes: “Above all, enjoy yourself. Book that holiday and go out for a nice meal with your family.”