WALLINGFORD, Conn. — It’s been a banner week for the CT Lottery, which awarded a combined $1.25 million to four different prize winners in recent days.
Lottery officials announced the winnings in a press release on Friday, detailing the unique circumstances around each victory.
The most notable prize was awarded to a Simsbury man, who claimed a $1 million Powerball prize. The winner discovered he matched the white balls the night before his 60th birthday.
“It was hard to keep a straight face when I scanned the ticket at the store,” he told CT Lottery officials. “It was pure luck.”
RELATED: $100,000 Cash5 and $50,000 Powerball prize-winning tickets sold in Connecticut
The man purchased the winning ticket via quick pick on the day of the Aug. 30 drawing in hopes of winning what was at the time a $1.1 billion jackpot. The ticket was purchased at the Pride on Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury.
When he claimed his money this week, the man said he has no immediate plans on how he’ll spend it. However, he noted that he is a regular lottery player and will continue to participate.
“Winning is a myth to those who don’t play,” he said.
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The CT Lottery reported on Friday that a Waterbury man won a $50,000 prize playing Powerball, when his quick pick delivered. The man told lottery officials he typically buys his tickets at one of two specific locations.
“I think about winning while getting the ticket,” he said, as his vision became reality.
After taking some time to enjoy his victory, the man plans to save some of the money and consider renovating his home.
He bought the ticket at Super Wines & Liquors on West Main Street in Cheshire. Moving forward, the winner said he will keep playing the lottery with more confidence.
According to CT Lottery officials, an Oakdale man who has been playing the lottery for more than four decades won a $100,000 top prize through his favorite game. He was reportedly stunned and shocked by his victory.
RELATED: CT Lottery opens state’s newest retail sports betting facility at its Wallingford headquarters
After learning he won, the man ran into his roommate’s room to share the news. Now, he’ll look to spend the winnings to buy a “sorely needed” car. Of course, he will continue playing the lottery in the future.
The man purchased the ticket at Preston General Store on Route 165 in Preston. For selling the winning ticket, the business will receive a $1,000 bonus.
The CT Lottery did not announce if any of the other locations that sold winning tickets will be getting a bonus.
A New Jersey woman was visiting her mother in Connecticut recently when she scored a $100,000 Cash5 win. The woman told lottery officials that her mother asked her to buy the ticket for fun, and she chose the quick pick option.
The woman bought the ticket at the 7/11 on New Britain Avenue in Newington for the Oct. 22 drawing. With the winnings, the New Jersey resident will buy her mother a ticket to Poland to visit family, as she hasn’t been back to see relatives in 20 years.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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