Submitted by Washington’s Lottery
Two things happened to Mark Bell last week that didn’t quite make sense to him the moment they came together. First, he bought a new iPhone for the first time in years, after which he downloaded all his favorite apps, including the Washington’s Lottery app. Second, he scanned the lottery tickets he bought earlier that week. That’s when his new phone told him he won $315,000.
“I immediately thought I scanned it wrong,” said Bell. “I thought my new phone has to be lying to me. There’s no way this is true.”
Bell still had his old phone, so he opened the app there and scanned the ticket. Same result: he was the sole $315,000 HIT 5 cashpot winner from the June 24 drawing. Still not quite believing it, Bell went to the Washington’s Lottery website and checked each number individually against his ticket. The joy finally sank in as soon as he signed the back of his ticket.
Bell, a Lacey resident who retired two years ago after a 28-year career as a security officer at Clover Park Technical College, celebrated the news with a friend and by getting some nice gifts for his nieces, who all have birthdays in July. He also plans to remodel the master bathroom in his home, upgrade his kitchen appliances, and invest a large portion of his winnings.
“One thing I’m really excited to do is to buy my brother something he’s always wanted for his yard, which is a riding lawn tractor,” added Bell.
Bell purchased the winning ticket at his local grocery store, the Fred Meyer located at 700 Sleater Kinney Rd SE in Lacey. He shops there weekly, picking up a small selection of HIT 5, Lotto, and occasionally Powerball tickets, as well, using the QuickPick function to choose his numbers for him. In this case, the first line of his $2 HIT 5 ticket was the winner.
HIT 5 is a Washington state lottery game that replaced Quinto in 2007. Each play is $1. Players pick five numbers between 1 and 42. Alternatively, players may use Quick Pick by letting the computer select their numbers. With four winning ball combinations, the more numbers that match those drawn, the more a player will win. Players can find Washington’s Lottery retail locations here.
