An 87-year-old man from Mercer Island became Washington state’s newest millionaire last week after playing Washington’s Lottery Lotto game on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The man claimed his prize from the Everett Regional Office, where he chose the cash option worth $1.6 million. He told Lottery officials that he planned to take his family to dinner that evening to celebrate.
He realized that he won when he was reading the daily newspaper, the week prior, on Tuesday, Oct. 1. He called a Washington’s Lottery Regional Office to confirm his winnings. Then, he went to a Washington’s Lottery retail location to check his ticket with the ticket reader. Afterwards, he met his daughter for lunch and revealed his news.
“She didn’t believe me,” he said. “She thought I was kidding!”
The man’s other plans for the money include sharing with his three children and seven grandchildren, charity giving, paying off the mortgage on his house, investing and buying a new car.
“I’ve driven Chryslers since 1968. I will probably buy a used car that’s a couple of years old because I never buy new ones,” he said.
The winner plays the Washington’s Lottery Lotto game regularly. He purchases a ticket three times per week, one for each Lotto drawing on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto is a Washington state game. When someone in Washington state wins a Lotto prize, others in Washington benefit, too. The retail location that sold the winning ticket, the Jacksons at 2903 78th Ave. S.E. on Mercer Island, will receive a $32,000 selling bonus.
This is the man’s first big win. He told Lottery officials that he was most excited about the win because it will secure his future. He said, “I’m 87 years old. That’s why I’m investing most of it, but giving some away to my kids and grandkids makes me happy.”
Proceeds from Washington’s Lottery benefit the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account, providing scholarships to college students statewide. To learn more about Washington’s Lottery, its beneficiaries and to review all up-to-date winning numbers, go to walottery.com.
