Patricia Esposito’s love of New Jersey Lottery games was sparked when Lottery began in New Jersey in 1970.
Her first big win was $20,000 playing a Bingo instant game in 2002. That money afforded her an experience of a lifetime on a Disney Land and Sea Cruise vacation with her children and grandchildren. “It was the best thing I ever did – the best money I ever spent,” she shared. “I booked our rooms with concierge service. When my grandson ordered ice cream a waiter came to the room with a silver platter wearing white gloves and lifted
the lid to reveal the Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream pop – it was amazing!”
Her passion for Lottery entertainment remains strong. Each day, she leaves work to go home for lunch and watch the midday drawings on television.
Instant Games remain Patricia’s favorite game to play and shares her excitement with her son and daughter by providing them with her non-winning instant tickets to enter into the Million Dollar Replay program. “Hopefully, one day they will win. They enter them in their own names.”
Meanwhile, Patricia was thrilled that her recent ticket was a $1,000,000 winner.
“It was meant to be,” shared Patricia. She bought the ticket at Krauszer’s Food Store, 216 Midland Ave., Saddle Brook in Bergen County, which was not her “regular” retailer. “There were four slots of the $150,000,000 game and I picked number 14, which is my daughter’s birthday.” What will she do with the winnings? She’s considering another cruise vacation!
Carole Hedinger, New Jersey Lottery executive director said, “Congratulations to Patricia and to all of our Instant Games prizewinners throughout the state. In September, the Lottery paid out more than $102.3 million in prizes. In addition, educational programs and institutions, along with the other Lottery beneficiaries, will benefit from the more than $30 million generated from Instant Games revenue during the month.“
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.