Special Numbers Win Jackpot for Gheens Resident

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For the last five years, John Matherne of Gheens had been playing the same six Lotto numbers, a combination of his birthday, his birth order, his age at the time he began playing, as well as a few lucky numbers from playing Bingo. Although he said he'd won about $50 four times playing them, this time the combination won him the $400,000 jackpot from Saturday's drawing.

Matherne arrived in a limousine to claim his prize today at Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge, accompanied by his parents and four older sisters. "My dad has never ridden in a limousine and said if one of us ever won the Powerball or Lotto jackpot, we would have to get one," he said.

Matherne said he realized he won when he checked his numbers on the Lottery's Web site on Sunday. "I just kept checking them and checking them. Then I told my sisters and had them check them - I'm still in shock. This is a wonderful blessing," he said.

Matherne said his only immediate plans for his winning are to purchase his parents a new car.

He received $280,000 after federal and state income taxes were withheld.  Winn Dixie #1557 on Highway 1 in Raceland will receive a one-time bonus of $4,000, or 1 percent of the jackpot, for selling Matherne his winning ticket. 
The winning numbers for the April 22 Lotto drawing were 3-5-16-22-31-39.  Over 9,000 other Lotto players also won prizes, including 10 players who won $3,161 each.

The Lottery encourages anyone who may have a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll free 1-877-770-7867.  Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.