Ben Barsolona from Bayonne in Hudson County is a very lucky guy. He was spending a quality football Sunday with his Dad at the pub where his girlfriend bartends. Compelled to grab a snack, he stepped next door to Elbaum’s Deli where he also bought a $1,000,000 Spectacular scratch-off ticket.
Back at the bar, his girlfriend was sharing her dream to travel to Paris. Barsolona was distracted from the conversation as he intently scratched the ticket. It appeared that he had won $5.
Annoyed that he wasn’t listening, she grabbed the ticket from him and threw the coin back at him. Undeterred, he took the ticket and finished revealing the numbers when he discovered that he had actually won $10,000.
When asked how he planned to spend his winnings, this Army Reservist said that he may temporarily swap in his helmet for a beret when he takes his girlfriend on a dream-come-true trip to Paris.
His lucky retailer is Elbaum’s Deli, 182 Broadway, Bayonne in Hudson County.
Carole Hedinger, New Jersey Lottery executive director said, “Congratulations to all of our Instant Games prizewinners throughout the state. Instant Games players received $111.7 million in prizes in December.”
In December, Instant Games contributed $35.8 million to support educational programs and institutions, tuition aid grants, disabled veterans homes, school nutrition programs and more.
New Jersey Lottery retailers across the state are also winners. Selling Lottery provides retailers additional sources of revenue as they receive selling, winning ticket cashing and bonus commissions. NJ Lottery’s strong brand appeal offers a significant marketing attraction engaging new customers and keeping Lottery fans coming back for their favorite entertainment.