Artesia Man Wins $50,000 New Mexico Lottery Prize

08/13/2013

ALBUQUERQUE – Mario Sifuentes of Artesia won $50,000 playing the New Mexico Lottery’s “Super Ball Crossword” Scratcher.

“I went wo-hoo,” Sifuentes told lottery officials in Albuquerque.

Mario Sifuentes

Above: Mario Sifuentes, winner of $50,000 “Super Ball Crossword” Scratcher

Although he hasn’t decided how to spend his five-figure prize, Sifuentes said he plans to continue playing lottery games to help fund the state’s Legislative Lottery Scholarship program.

“The lottery helped my kids and I will keep playing to help others go to school,” he said.

Sifuentes bought his lucky $5 ticket at Circle K located at 712 W. Main St. in Artesia. Previously, the store has sold 10 large prize-winning lottery tickets ranging between $1,000 and $3,000.

Legislative Lottery Scholarships

All net revenues from the sale of New Mexico Lottery games benefit a tuition-assistance program for New Mexico residents attending the state’s public colleges and universities. Since 1996, the lottery has raised $572.5 million for education and more than 82,600 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships. Approximately 2,400 students from Eddy County have received nearly $10.2 million in Legislative Lottery Scholarships.

Follow the New Mexico Lottery on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nmlottery) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/NewMexicoLottery).