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Lottery Mails Woman Letter Saying She Would Have Won $3.1 Million
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Delaware lottery players are getting letters about jackpots they would have won if they had bought their usual ticket. The notices include prize amounts and a deadline to keep the loss active. Full story: prickledherald.com/s/210
Transcript
Delaware's lottery has started mailing letters to people whose usual numbers came up the one week they didn't buy a ticket.
Jolene Vasquez-Hartl, 58, of Milford got one. Her grandkids' birthdays would have paid $3.1 million, and the letter asks her to play responsibly.
On screenFirst State Lottery Near-Win Office · Regret Notification Services · Delaware · September 17 · Jolene Vasquez-Hartl · Our records show your usual numbers matched the jackpot drawing on September 16, during a week in which no ticket was purchased. Congratulations. You would have won $3.1 million. Please play responsibly. · Nadine Peltz-Carr, Deputy Director
The letter also included a brochure for the pontoon boat the office estimated she would have bought.
Jolene called the number on the letter, and the lottery released the recording.
Player Services: First State Lottery, near-win office. Name on the letter?
Caller: Jolene Vasquez-Hartl. It says I would have won three point one million.
Player Services: Yes, ma'am, I see it. Congratulations.
Caller: So what do I get?
Player Services: You got the letter.
Caller: And the boat I hope?
Player Services: Technically. That's the boat you would have bought.
Caller: Oh, is there anything I can do to receive my prize?
Player Services: Yes ma'am. The winnings expire at eight. Would you like to buy a ticket?
Ticket sales are up 31%. Jolene hasn't missed a week since, and she has won $4.
Satire. Everything in this reel is made up for comedy.
