2011 Press Releases

November 15, 2011

RETIRED CHEMIST, WIFE, FORMULATE $200,003 POWERBALL® WIN

Dover, DE -- A retired chemist from New Castle and his wife, a former administrative assistant, have $200,003 reasons to smile after claiming a lucky Quick Pick POWERBALL® ticket, purchased at Manor Pharmacy in New Castle on Nov. 4 for the following night’s drawing.

“My husband took it [the ticket] in the store and put it in the machine,” said the wife, 71, about their winning moment.  “He looked at it, didn’t believe he won, asked our friend the pharmacist, and finally the pharmacist said, ‘We were wondering who won!’”

Reality set in quickly for the couple, regular Delaware Lottery players, who claimed their prize on Nov. 14, and who had not previously won anything greater than $500.

“All those zeros!” exclaimed the gentleman, 80.  Disbelieving his good fortune in matching all five white numbers – but not the POWERBALL® - he and his wife effectively beat odds of more than 1-in-5.1 million.

While POWERBALL® is their game of choice – usually placing $5 to $10 on it, once a week or so – the couple has also been known to play MULTI-WIN LOTTO® and MEGA MILLIONS®.  “Sometimes I’ll play Instant Games,” the wife explained.  “But mostly, my husband will put down $5 on POWERBALL® and I’ll put down $10!” 

Telling their two children of their good fortune first, the couple plans to pay some bills – and take care of a pesky car loan.  “I have a real hopped-up car,” joked the woman.  “I’m looking forward to paying it off!”

Reminding potential thrill-seekers that “you can’t win if you don’t play,” the couple wanted everyone to know that the next big prize was out there.  “I got some tickets already,” laughed the woman.  “Lightening doesn’t strike in the same place…but it could!”

Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $3.35 billion to the state's General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery oversees activities at the State's three licensed Video Lottery facilities and offers a variety of ticket games including: POWERBALL®, MEGA MILLIONS®, HOT LOTTO®, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, DELAWARE CASH 5®, PLAY 3, PLAY 4, and assorted Instant Games.

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The Delaware Lottery only publishes winner names with their consent.