Del Rio Lottery Winner Comes Forward

Del Rio’s Jose Martinez was standing in line at Pico No. 3 on Las Vacas Street and noticed the Texas Two Step jackpot had soared to $1.1 million, its highest level in more than three months.

Martinez asked for $5 in Quick Pick numbers. That impromptu decision changed his life July 9, when he matched all four numbers (1 – 9 – 21 – 31), plus the Bonus Ball (4).

“This is the third time this year that Texas Two Step has climbed over $1 million,” said Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Gary Grief. “It’s always exciting when we reach those larger jackpots on a game like Texas Two Step that features improved overall odds of winning.”

Martinez had hastily written down the winning numbers on the back of an old scratch-off ticket, but when he and his daughter tried to check the ticket they couldn’t decide if the Bonus Ball number was a four or 14.

“I said, ‘Let’s go to the computer.’ The numbers came up right away, and she said, ‘Dad, you won,’” Martinez said.

Although this is his largest win, Martinez said he wins smaller amounts every so often and claims consistency is his key to winning.

“I like to keep using the same numbers and then get one or two Quick Picks, too,” he said. “Sometimes they hit.”

For selling the winning ticket, the Pico store at 811 Las Vacas is eligible for a retailer bonus of $10,000.

Beginning with the first ticket sold in 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated $20 billion in revenue for the state and distributed $38 billion in prizes to lottery players.

Since 1997, the Texas Lottery has contributed $14 billion to the Foundation School Fund, which supports public education in Texas. As authorized by the Texas Legislature, certain Texas Lottery revenues benefit state programs including the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.

The Texas Lottery celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. For more information about the Texas Lottery, please visit www.txlottery.org.

Reprinted by permission of the Del Rio News-Herald