Leap Year Luck? Missouri Lottery Players Won Over $70.4 Million in February
Friday March 13th 2020Is it time for Missouri to change its state nickname to "Show Me the Money"? Or should that be "MO Money, No Problem"?
Whether or not the Leap Year played a part, February was certainly a lucky month for Missouri Lottery players, who won more than $70.4 million in prizes, according to numbers recently released by the Lottery. Over $6.1 million of the total was made up of prizes of $1,000 or above.
O'Fallon man wins $2 million Mega Millions prize
The biggest win claimed in Missouri last month was a $2 million Mega Millions prize. John Sheperd of O'Fallon in St. Charles County won the game's second prize in the December 3, 2019 drawing. He purchased the ticket at QuikTrip, 15902 Manchester Road in Ellisville. The lucky ticket matched all five of the main numbers: 23, 43, 60, 63, and 69.
Ordinarily the second prize is worth $1 million, but Sheperd doubled his money because he'd added the Megaplier option when buying the ticket. The Megaplier number drawn on December 3 was 2, doubling all non-jackpot tickets with the option added.
In the most recent fiscal year, St. Charles County players took home $47.9 million in prizes, retailers were paid out $4.9 million in bonuses, and over $9.2 million was distributed to education in the county.
St. Louis man's change in routine led to sweet Valentine's surprise
Stephen Piechocinski is a regular Powerball player whose routine involves picking up a ticket on his way to work.
One day, Piechocinski's schedule changed, and he realized later in the day that he'd missed out on his regular purchase. He made a stop at Wallis Petroleum, 3033 S. Hanley Road in Maplewood, to grab some gas and a Powerball ticket.
Piechocinski didn't get around to checking his ticket until Valentine's Day. It turned out he'd matched all five main numbers in the February 12 Powerball drawing, scoring a $1 million win! The winning numbers on February 12 were white balls 14, 47, 54, 55, and 68, while the red Powerball was 25.
Piechocinski said he loved surprising his family with the exciting news that day, and he will use the money for early retirement. This is the second time a Missouri player has won Powerball's $1 million Match 5 second prize this year.
Springfield man couldn't believe his eyes after Scratchers win
Jeffrey Cunningham also bought a lottery ticket when he stopped for gas, and it turned out to be just as good a buy as Piechocinski's.
Cunningham purchased the "50X Lucky" Scratcher from the Kum & Go, 4020 West Battlefield Street in Springfield.
Cunningham scratched the $10 ticket while he pumped gas and couldn't quite believe his luck when he uncovered a $1 million grand prize. "I had to look at it a couple of times," he revealed.
Cunningham apparently resisted any urge to yell and jump up and down - he finished getting gas and left, before heading to the Lottery's office in Springfield to claim his big win. He said he will use part of his prize to buy a house.
In the latest fiscal year, Greene County players won over $42.8 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, while more than $4.2 million in commissions and bonuses were paid to the county's retailers and $24.1 million was distributed to educational programs in the county.
More big Missouri Lottery wins in February
Powerball winners
- $50,000 won by Justin Downey, Kansas City
- $50,000 won by Jerry Slates, Rolla
Pick 4 winners
- $105,000 won by Anthony Wilson, St. Louis 63104
- $57,500 won by Michele Williams, St. Louis 63136
$100,000 Scratchers winners
- James Duffie, Arnold
- Jason Eckhard, Knob Noster
- Darren Hall, Belton
- Madeline Lamar, St. Louis 63130
- Chad Lander, Keokuk, Iowa
$50,000 Scratchers winners
- Zachariah Erickson, Branson
- Daniel Francis, Fredericktown
- Jasmin Hodzik, St. Louis 63116
- Charles Martin, Pacific
- Daniel Rhodes, Jefferson City
Show Me Cash winners
- $145,000 won by Reginald Owens, Kansas City 64138
- $110,000 won by Steven Matherly, Cabool
- $51,000 won by Robert Jones, Springfield
- $50,001 won by Paul Taylor, Poplar Bluff