BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Chris Pierce, a regular lottery player from Northampton County, was presented with a commemorative check for $1 million on Thursday after winning Pennsylvania’s Cash4Life® second prize in the October 18 drawing. Pierce, who bought his ticket at Uni-Mart in Bethlehem, chose to take the $1 million cash option rather than the annuity of $1,000 a week for life.
Pierce, a morning coffee regular at Uni-Mart, said he often buys lottery tickets when the big jackpots are up. “Whenever the Mega Millions® or the Powerball® jackpots are up I also get a ticket for Cash4Life®,” he said. Upon scanning his ticket, he was met with a message instructing him to file a claim. “I checked with the clerk, and he said, ‘Oh my gosh, I think you won $1 million!’” Pierce recounted, still in disbelief.
The Uni-Mart retailer, which sold the winning ticket, will receive a $10,000 bonus. Pierce’s prize, after federal and state taxes, will be approximately $729,304.38. He plans to use the money to pay bills, save, and prepare for an early retirement. “It took me a while to believe it,” Pierce said. “I’ll probably pay bills and save. I’ll put it toward an early retirement.”
Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne joined Pierce at the presentation ceremony, extending congratulations to the winner and acknowledging the contributions of retailers like Uni-Mart. “Congratulations to Chris on this life-changing prize,” Browne said. “Thanks to our dedicated players and retailers, the PA Lottery continues to generate funds for critical programs and services that support our senior community in Pennsylvania.”
Since joining the multi-state Cash4Life game in 2015, Pennsylvania has awarded 17 second-prize $1 million Cash4Life winners. The game, which is also played in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, has generated over $244 million in sales and $90.6 million in profits to benefit senior programs in Pennsylvania.
“Lottery funding provides essential services and programs that support the health and well-being of older Pennsylvanians,” said PA Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko.
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