“I was so excited, I forgot to get a haircut,” said Gerold Banick, answering questions about what went on when he realized he had just become the Oregon Lottery®’s newest Megabucks millionaire.

Gerold, a Condon resident, matched all six numbers in the May 12, MegabucksSM drawing, to win a $6 million prize. Gerold bought a $10 Quick Pick ticket at Albertson’s #532, in The Dalles. His big win came in the fifth set of numbers. The winning numbers were 10-19-23-28-31-40.

Gerold chose the Investment Plan for prize payment, and received a prize of more than $1.9 million, after state and federal taxes were withheld. He was accompanied to the Lottery office in Salem by his neighbors, Floyd “Digger” O’Dell and Digger’s wife, Norma. “Digger is my best friend,” said Gerold.

That friendship was apparent when Gerold presented Digger, who did the driving from Condon to Salem, with a $133,000 surprise. Gerold joked, “This was the most expensive cab ride I’ve ever had. I’m just glad I live on the west side of town and not east side that’s farther from Salem!”

A regular Megabucks player, Gerold also enjoys Powerball®. When Gerold had his winning Megabucks ticket checked at Albertson’s, he also had a winning $10 Powerball ticket. In addition to his gift to Digger and Norma, Gerold says he will take care of some bills, set plans in motion to provide a college education for his granddaughter, and “help out” some others.