PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwire - Nov 9, 2012) - A group of nine lucky co-workers and friends, who work in the financial industry in Chandler, claimed the $1.7 million The Pick jackpot from the drawing on Saturday, November 3.
The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased at a Circle K located at 295 S. Arizona Ave. in Chandler.
The group has been playing The Pick since February of last year and selected the game since it's Arizona's own jackpot game. The group plays the Wednesday and Saturday draws each week, and everyone in the pool contributes $8 every other week to participate.
Barry Hackett, the pool representative, checked the tickets on the Arizona Lottery website and immediately checked them again three more times before asking one of his co-workers to come check the numbers with him. Her immediate reaction was, "Yeah, right!" Hackett said they then quietly called the seven other players over to their office area and told them the news. There were big grins, excitement, looks of disbelief, and even a few happy tears according to Hackett.
"It was exciting to have a big group of winners at the Arizona Lottery Phoenix office," said Karen Bach, director of budget, products & communications for the Arizona Lottery. "It's always fun to award a prize to an office pool, and it's a bonus when the prize is shared among a good group of friends."
The group selected the cash option and each member received a check for $125,925.92 before taxes. Most of the office pool members plan to pay off bills and pay off or pay down mortgages with their winnings. When asked if they were going to celebrate, Hackett said, "There's probably a happy hour in our future for celebration."
Winning numbers for The Pick are broadcast Wednesdays and Saturdays during the 10 p.m. news on Channel 13 (CBS) in Tucson and posted on www.ABC15.com in Phoenix.
Players can check their numbers by logging onto www.ArizonaLottery.com or by calling the winning numbers hotline at 480-829-PICK in Phoenix and 1-800-499-3798 in all other Arizona areas. Players can also opt-in to receive winning number text alerts by texting "AZLOT" to 411247.
Players must be 21 years or older to purchase or redeem tickets. Overall odds vary by game. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, these materials may be made available in an alternate format. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-NEXT STEP. Please Play Responsibly.™
About the Arizona Lottery
The Arizona Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products; it receives no General Fund dollars from the State. Proceeds from sales of Lottery tickets -- over $3 million per week -- fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out more than $5 billion in prizes to players, over $2.8 billion in net profit to the state and almost $591 million in commissions to retailers.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Jennifer Adler
E.B. Lane
(602) 417-1594