Big win nets $86,000 retailer bonus for four-year-old store
Olympia, Wash. (May 16, 2023) – End of the Trail IV, a convenience store operated by Chehalis Tribe Enterprises in Rochester, has only been open for four years, but it already has a big win under its belt. Last month the store sold the sole winning ticket for the recent $8.6 million Lotto jackpot, but the good news doesn’t stop there… because they sold that top-tier winning lottery ticket, the store received an $86,000 retailer selling bonus from Washington’s Lottery.
“Once we opened the email that said that not only had we sold a jackpot winning ticket, but that we were also going to receive a large selling bonus, we couldn’t help but scream out of excitement,” said Sam Roark, Store Manager. “Everyone who heard us ran over to see what was going on, and once they saw it, they couldn’t believe it either. ‘Is this really happening?’ was a question most of us were asking.”
The store, which opened in early 2019, has sold multiple $1,000 winning Lotto tickets in the past, but its staff never imagined that in just a few years they’d sell a jackpot winning ticket.
“Although we did see a spike in purchases because of the high jackpot, Lotto has always been a popular game amongst our customers,” said Roark. “We’re thrilled that one of them was able to win such a large prize from the game.”
With the $86,000 retailer selling bonus it received, End of the Trail IV plans to reinvest the money into the store.
“We’re grateful for these funds. We have a lot of loyal customers who come to this location every day, so we want to keep our store updated, fresh, and in top shape overall to ensure that they continue to have the best possible experience,” said Roark.
Washington’s Lottery is encouraging players to check their tickets, as the $8.6 million Lotto jackpot prize remains unclaimed. Players hoping to claim their prize must come in to one of the regional offices of Washington’s Lottery before 5 p.m. on October 26, when the prize is set to expire. The winning numbers for the April 29, 2023, drawing were 11-18-20-27-39-47.
Lotto is a Washington state lottery game. The cost per ticket is $1 for two plays. Players pick two sets of six numbers between one and 49. Alternatively, players may use Quick Pick by letting the computer select their numbers. With four winning ball combinations, the more numbers that match those drawn, the more a player will win. Tickets for Lotto are available for purchase at Washington’s Lottery retail locations throughout the state. Players can find Washington’s Lottery retail locations here.
Making a Difference in Washington State
Since 1982, Washington’s Lottery has generated more than $4.5 billion to support several important state programs, including providing much-needed funds for the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA). In FY21, WOPA received $185.7 million from the Lottery, enough to pay college tuition for more than 18,000 Washington residents. It also provided approximately 25% of the annual budget for the state’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, which provides critical services to more than 15,000 children at 440 locations across Washington.
Washington’s Lottery Beneficiary Fact – April 2022
Washington’s Lottery is very proud to be a financial supporter of the state’s Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP). The $40 million annual investment the lottery makes in ECEAP has lasting effects. Children who participate in ECEAP are more likely to be kindergarten-ready than non-participants, and those who participate five or more hours per day are especially prepared in reading and math.* Children in state-funded pre-K programs like ECEAP see long-lasting positive effects, including increased grade progression, high school graduation and college enrollment.**
About Washington’s Lottery: The state’s Lottery offers consumers several types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Pick 3, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @walottery.
Keep it fun. Know your limit. Washington’s Lottery is an advocate for responsible gaming and collaborates with the Evergreen Council for Problem Gambling to provide resources for those in need. More information is available at www.walottery.com/Responsibility.
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Press Contacts
Dan Miller (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: dan.miller@curatorpr.com
Xiamara Garza (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: xiamara.garza@curatorpr.com
* Early Learning Feedback Report. https://erdc.wa.gov/data-dashboards/early-learning-feedback-report-0
** Boston Public Schools Department of Early Childhood. (n.d.). Boston universal pre-K. Retrieved June 9, 2021, from https://www.bpsearlylearning.org/boston-upk