March 31, 2009

$155,000 in Prizes Paid Out to Instant Game Winners

The Rhode Island Lottery has paid out $155,000 in prizes to 4 big instant ticket winners that came in yesterday and today.

Karen Paquin, Woonsocket, claimed $45,000 on “Money Mania”, a Rhode Island Lottery instant game.  She said she was in the mood for ice cream last night, so she decided to go across the street to the Market and pick some up.  When she was there she saw the new instant ticket, “Money Mania”, and decided to give it a shot.  She scratched it right there in the store, and started to cry and shake with excitement when she saw she won.  By the time she walked back to the house and her fiancé saw her, he thought she got hit by a car.  According to Paquin, the money came at a perfect time because she’s getting married next weekend and she’s been out of work for about a year.  AJ’s Mini Market on Social Street, Woonsocket, sold her the winning ticket.  

An East Greenwich man came in at the same time to cash in his winning “Pharaoh’s Cash” instant ticket for $50,000.  He’s going to use the money to pay bills, fix up his car, and then put the rest to college.  The winner purchased his ticket from Sunnybrook Farms, 1020 Main St., East Greenwich. 

Another $50,000 winner came in from Plainville, MA, after scratching the “Big Money” instant ticket.  He and his family said they’d save the winnings “for a rainy day.”  Family Convenience Mart, 512 Prairie Ave., Providence, sold the winning ticket. 

Furthermore, a Cranston man came in to pick up his $10,000 in winnings from the “Spicy Cash” instant ticket.  He too said the money came at a good time since he was out of work.  He bought the ticket from Colbea Enterprises, 1783 Louisquisset Turnpike, Lincoln.