Jose Antonetti, from Havre de Grace, celebrated his |
Takes home second-tier Powerball prize
Playing Powerball is part of Jose Antonetti’s normal routine. But, this past weekend, his Lottery experience turned out to be anything but normal. The 79-year-old purchased his ticket and took it home to place in his regular hiding spot. On Sunday, he printed the winning numbers from the Lottery’s website before going to take a nap. He asked his wife, Emma, to check his tickets and went to the bedroom.
“My wife started calling my name and told me I won $200,000,” said the winner. “I told her that I played the Power Play option, so it must be worth more.” Jose then had his daughter, Rita, check the website, which is how they realized the ticket was worth $1 million.
To win the second-tier prize, players must match all five white balls, only missing the Powerball. Jose’s winning Powerball $200,000 second-tier prize was increased to $1 million as a result of playing the game’s Power Play option. For an extra dollar, Power Play can increase the prize up to five times. This year, 14 Marylanders have won the second-tier prize.
With his winnings, Jose plans to pay off his mortgage and credit cards. He’d also like to visit some of his family in Florida. The winning ticket was purchased in Havre de Grace from Post Road Liquors, located at 1123 Revolution Street.
Officials expect more wins of this magnitude from Powerball when scheduled changes to the game begin on January 15, 2012. The new $2 Powerball will raise all second-tier prizes to $1 million and jackpots will start at $40 million.