Businessman wins $242,000 lotto jackpot

Businessman and shipping broker Wayne Crichton, who last Wednesday August 8 walked away from the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) headquarters with XCD$242,000, says he was in awe when he realised that he had won.

Crichton, who has been playing the NLA’s games since the company began operating here 32 years ago, is the winner of the Tuesday, August 9 2016 lotto jackpot.

The happy lotto player said that he bought the winning ticket at M&M Shop in Fairhall and that when he asked for quick pick numbers, which are numbers chosen by the machine, he received 02 09 28 30 33, which turned out to be the winning numbers.{{more}}

He did not check his numbers on the night of the draw, but when he eventually checked online and realized his numbers matched, he was still in disbelief, so he took his ticket to the NLA’s main office and they verified that he was a winner.

“I would like to thank the Almighty and I encourage everybody to play lotto because you might just be as blessed as I am. Once you buy a ticket you have a chance,” said the Ratho Mill resident who noted that it is possible that he may have won before because he has a bad habit of not checking his tickets.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony which was held in the NLA’s conference room, general manager at the NLA McGregor Sealey, who has been at that organisation since its inception encouraged persons to continue playing the games of the NLA.

Wishing Crichton all the best and encouraging the businessman to use the money wisely, Sealey went on to stress the importance of the NLA.

He said that over the years, while the NLA has done very well, sales have dropped from around XCD$52 million in a financial year to around XCD$42 million in the last financial year. He is encouraging persons to play the games that the NLA offer so that the company can continue to have a great impact on sports, culture and education in the country.

“I want to congratulate all our sellers out there. I want to thank all the persons like Mr Crichton who continue to play year in year out and I want to say continue to support the National Lottery and we in turn will be able to spend more money in the communities,” said Sealey.(LC)