68-year-old Jimmie Smith had two days left to miss a life changing opportunity. Smith happened to discover a pile of old unchecked lottery tickets stuffed in his pocket.
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May 25, 2016 was the day the winning numbers were pulled. Smith told himself, “I’ll check them when I have time.” It’s a good thing he did. Because had he waited two days longer, he’d have lost out on $24.1 million
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More than a year ago, Smith bought a ticket to the New York Lotto. The winning numbers for the May 25, 2016 drawing were: 05 – 12 – 13 – 22 – 25 – 35.
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The New York Gaming Commission knew the winning ticket, worth $24.1 million, was sold at a bodega in New York City — but it didn’t know who bought the ticket.
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Winners have a year to claim the prize and that expiration day was quickly approaching. So earlier this year, the New York Lottery started to get the word out.
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Smith, a retired security officer, caught a news story about the search for the mystery winner. That inspired him to check his old tickets. He went up to the closet where the old shirt hung.
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When the numbers matched up, he “stood there for a minute thinking, ‘Do I see what I think I see?’” “I had to stick my head out the window and breathe in some fresh air,: he said. “I was in serious doubt. I really had to convince myself this was real.”
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That was on May 23, 2017. He’d have been ineligible to collect after May 25, 2017.
On Wednesday, the New York Lottery released Smith’s name after completing a review.
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“We are thrilled that this lucky winner was able to locate this life-changing ticket,” Dean, of the gaming commission, said. Smith chose to receive his payments over the course of 26 years.
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A father of two and grandfather of 12, he said he plans to have an “all-family discussion” once things settle down. Via: CNN
.
May 25, 2016 was the day the winning numbers were pulled. Smith told himself, “I’ll check them when I have time.” It’s a good thing he did. Because had he waited two days longer, he’d have lost out on $24.1 million
.
More than a year ago, Smith bought a ticket to the New York Lotto. The winning numbers for the May 25, 2016 drawing were: 05 – 12 – 13 – 22 – 25 – 35.
.
The New York Gaming Commission knew the winning ticket, worth $24.1 million, was sold at a bodega in New York City — but it didn’t know who bought the ticket.
.
Winners have a year to claim the prize and that expiration day was quickly approaching. So earlier this year, the New York Lottery started to get the word out.
.
Smith, a retired security officer, caught a news story about the search for the mystery winner. That inspired him to check his old tickets. He went up to the closet where the old shirt hung.
.
When the numbers matched up, he “stood there for a minute thinking, ‘Do I see what I think I see?’” “I had to stick my head out the window and breathe in some fresh air,: he said. “I was in serious doubt. I really had to convince myself this was real.”
.
That was on May 23, 2017. He’d have been ineligible to collect after May 25, 2017.
On Wednesday, the New York Lottery released Smith’s name after completing a review.
.
“We are thrilled that this lucky winner was able to locate this life-changing ticket,” Dean, of the gaming commission, said. Smith chose to receive his payments over the course of 26 years.
.
A father of two and grandfather of 12, he said he plans to have an “all-family discussion” once things settle down. Via: CNN
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