by Bea Peterson
According to the Lottery News, “The New York Lottery Tuesday introduced James Jess of North Bennington, VT, as the newest top prize winner on the popular $3,000,000 Bonanza scratch-off game. The 62 year old said there’s a reason he crosses the border to purchase lottery tickets in New York. ‘The games are just better in New York,’ Jess said.
[private]Jess purchased his lucky $3,000,000 Bonanza ticket on August 10 at the Stewart’s Shop on NY Route 67 in North Hoosick. He claimed his prize on August 13 at the Lottery’s Customer Service Center in Schenectady.
“I knew it was a winner right away,” said Jess. “I scratched it in the store and had the clerk scan it,” he continued. “We both kept looking back and forth at the scanner and then at each other in disbelief.” Jess said he then immediately went home to tell his wife the good news.
Jess will receive his prize in 20 annual payments of $150,000. He will receive a net check totaling $99,270 each year through 2031. Jess said he has “very conservative plans” for the money, including saving for retirement. “It will make life a little better all around,” he said.
Jess is the fourth New York Lottery player to purchase a jackpot-winning ticket at a Capital Region Stewart’s Shops location in 2012.
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