Retired custodian rarely plays Powerball — then he won big lottery prize in Washington

A retired custodian from Snohomish, Washington, rarely plays the Powerball, but he decided to give the game a shot after the recent $754.6 million jackpot.

It proved to be a good decision.

Tommy bought a ticket and checked his numbers a few days later on the lottery’s website.

Initially he thought he won the $100 prize, but then he checked his ticket again. And again.

He had matched enough numbers to win the $50,000 prize.

“This can’t be right,” he recalled thinking to Washington’s Lottery.

He drove to the Everett Regional Office of Washington’s Lottery to get the prize money.

Then he went straight to the bank, and called his sister.

“He says she’s just as excited as he is,” lottery officials said.

Tommy paid off all his debt with his winnings and put some into savings.

He said he will pay for dinner next time he and his sister go out. He would also like to use some of the money for a trip to Germany.

“Tommy says this win has been a blessing, but at times it still doesn’t feel real until he checks his bank account,” officials said.

Snohomish is about 30 miles northeast of Seattle.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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