April 21, 2010

Rhode Island Lottery Winner Heads to Vegas for the World Series of Poker® Tournament

The winner of the second chance drawing for the World Series of Poker® Instant Game has claimed his prize. Richard Marsoobian of North Providence will be heading to Las Vegas with $10,000 for a seat at the 2010 World Series of Poker® Main Event on July 5th. The package also includes round-trip airline transportation (for two), a 4 night stay, and $500 spending money! Richard is bringing his wife to cheer him on. He has been playing poker for approximately 15-20 years at his house with friends and occasionally at Foxwoods. In the past, he has joked with his family that someday he would be going to the tournament, but never in his wildest dreams did he think it would actually happen. “I just don’t want to be the first one out!” he exclaimed while at the Lottery headquarters.

The ten dollar World Series of Poker® Instant Game launched on December 7, 2009 and offered players the option to enter any non-winning tickets for a second chance to win seats at The 2010 World Series of Poker® Main Event (a $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Championship). Last year, the event started with 6,494 buy-ins and ended with 648 payouts totaling $60,043,650. The winner of the tournament walked away with $8,546,453!

Marsoobian said he is nervous and excited to go, and hopes that he makes it to the end to represent Rhode Island at the final table!

Both second chance drawings for the World Series of Poker® Instant Game have concluded. There are still 2 unclaimed $100,000 instant win prizes for this game. For more information about other Rhode Island Lottery second chance drawings, click here.