Belen resident Patrick Lopez collected a $65,000 top prize on Thursday after playing “Holiday Magic Times 10,” the New Mexico Lottery’s latest Scratcher game.
Lopez said he was thrilled when he revealed what he thought was a $65 prize, but he “screamed” when further scratching exposed three zeros bringing the ticket’s total prize to $65,000.
In addition to purchasing a car, the 47-year-old caregiver employed by Ambercare plans to splurge on a diamond ring for his girlfriend Sally Sais.
Lopez’s winning ticket came from the Circle K store located at 4212 Coal SE in Albuquerque. This retailer has sold 10 other large prize-winning lottery tickets ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Lottery Beneficiaries in Valencia County
All net revenues from the sale of lottery games benefit the Legislative Lottery Scholarship program, which provides tuition assistance for New Mexico residents attending the state’s public colleges and universities.
Since its inception in 1996, the lottery has raised more than $331 million for public education in
New Mexico. More than 48,000 students have received Legislative Lottery Scholarships in the last decade. As of the Spring 2007 semester, 2,000 high school graduates from Valencia County have received $7.5million in Legislative Lottery Scholarships to attend college.
Information on Legislative Lottery Scholarships is available at
www.nmlottery.com
