A Googled image of the kind of girl Ko dreams of spoiling with his fantasy riches

Ko's mid-afternoon reverie began as an idle daydream about what he would spend a million dollars on, but rapidly blossomed into a full-blown fantasy that involved quitting his mind-numbingly boring job, paying a hitman to beat up various childhood bullies, and a scantily clad soulmate named "either Cordelia or Anya" who shared his love of computing and fellatio.

"I'd pay back Uncle Mick that $150 I owe him from 2005," said Ko. "Mum and Dad would get $50,000 each. I'd start sponsoring a kid from Africa, get myself a new Barina, and I'd buy my girlfriend – who I'd probably meet in an exclusive Gold Coast nightclub or on the Greek isle of Santorini – an expensive cocktail dress."

The impossibly stunning, completely imaginary lover would also be treated to a round-the-world trip, her own private, female masseuse and a six-carat diamond engagement ring under Ko's plan for the winnings. "[Co-workers] Singo and Michael would be so jealous when they met her," he said, idly drawing lovehearts on his work notepad. "And Sam would probably try to hit on her."

"Ha!" he added. "Good luck, mate. With the way I'd be spoiling her, she'd be 100% devoted to me."

Psychologist Dr Lyn Fairchild warns that these dreams of unearned wealth can be harmful: "Alan is really just setting himself up for disappointment with such unreasonable fantasies. I've met him and believe me, it'd take more than a million dollars for that guy to land a girlfriend."

NSW Lotteries commissioner Oliver Ball shares Dr Fairchild's concern about Ko's potential disappointment: "I'd advise Alan to buy a 30-Game Megapick, just to be safe."