Every week for 16 years, a group of ten public workers in northeast Ohio have chipped in to play Mega Millions, Powerball and Classic Lotto. On November 23, 2020, they hit the $5.9 million Classic Lotto jackpot!
Nick and Gery, two representatives for the group calling themselves The Lucky Ten, visited the Ohio Lottery’s Cleveland offices to claim the prize.
“A few months ago, we won for $2,000, so we were just building up to the big one,” Gery said.
Gery buys the tickets every week, and at first, he didn’t believe that he had the winning ticket. Once it sunk in, he wanted to share the news with the group.
“I called people who played together, and I wanted to see their facial expressions. They thought I was lying,” he said.
Nick backs that up.
“Overall, it was a real joyous reaction, but I didn’t believe Gery for a minute. We had a copy of the ticket hanging at work and I read the ticket and was in complete shock,” Nick said.
The group chose the cash option prize of $2.9 million, and each will receive $212,400 after taxes.
Not all of them have immediate plans for the winnings. Nick says he’s locking his winnings up until he gets over the shock of winning. Gery has a plan, “Well, I just bought a new truck, so I’ll pay that off. I’m going to do a little work on the house now, too.”
When the pool started sixteen years ago, they purchased an auto pick ticket and have stuck with the numbers ever since. They say they’ll continue to play those numbers.
“We’re hoping for Mega Millions or Powerball next!” Gery said.
The winning numbers were: 8-13-18-26-33-39. The group purchased the winning ticket at Convenient Food Mart, located at 811 E. 222 Street in Euclid.
This is Ohio’s 23rd
Classic Lotto jackpot win since the game began in 2007.
Congratulations to The Lucky Ten!