Mahopac Family Celebrates $1,000,000 Lottery Win 20 Years in the Making

MAHOPAC, NY (09/20/2012)(readMedia)-- William "Billy" Mascio of Mahopac has played the same Lottery numbers for the past 20 years, and today they earned him a $1 million Powerball second prize. New York Lottery Draw Team Member Gretchen Dizer today presented Mascio, 60, and his wife Kathryn, 55, with a ceremonial prize check at the Mobil Mart where Billy Mascio purchased the couple's lucky ticket.

"I've been playing the same numbers for as long as I can remember," he said. "The numbers all stand for family birthdays; mine, my wife's and our three daughters'." The sixth number on Mascio's birthday list belongs to a family dog long since passed. As usual, Mascio said he spent the minimum $2 required for a single set of numbers for the Powerball drawing held on August 8. He checked his ticket the following day.

"I used a ticket checker and got a message that said, 'Big Winner. See Retailer,'" Mascio said. "Then, I waited to see the numbers scroll across the screen. I still wasn't convinced so I went home and looked at the numbers on the computer. Even then," Mascio laughed, "I wasn't sure what the prize was. I was just happy to see my numbers!" The winning numbers for the August 8 Powerball drawing were 03 07 11 15 28 and Powerball 12. Once certain he had the first five numbers as drawn, Mascio discovered their true worth. "I remember saying to myself, 'Billy, I think you're a millionaire.'" Mascio then called his wife at work.

"I checked the numbers yet again," said Kathryn Mascio. "I decided to leave work a little early that day so we could celebrate," she said.

The Powerball second prize is paid as a single, lump sum. The Mascios opted to claim jointly with each receiving a 50 percent share of the $1,000,000 prize. Each will receive a net check totaling $330,900.

The Mascios plan to use the respective shares to pay off their mortgage and help their daughters. "If there's anything left," said Kathryn Mascio, "I'd like to upgrade to a better car."

The New York Lottery contributed $11,152,090.92 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Putnam County during fiscal year 2011-12.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing nearly $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2011-2012 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery's contribution represents nearly 15 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district's size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

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