(AUSTIN) – It wasn’t long after his birthday that Houston resident Mario Longoria made a quick stop at a Valero Corner Store while on his way to pick up his daughter for the weekend. His decision ultimately rewarded him with a Weekly Bonus top prize.
“I went into the store for some water. While I was there, I thought, ‘Let me get one ticket,’ and I got the Weekly Bonus,” said Longoria.
After checking the winning number, he scratched the row of numbers to the right.
“I got a matching number 14, but I had never scratched the amount. Then I scratched the prize and saw the $500 a week,” he explained. “That’s a good birthday present.”
Longoria claimed the second top prize in the $1 instant game, and three top prizes remain unclaimed. The Weekly Bonus scratch-off ticket features more than $18.2 million in total prizes, with a top prize of $500 a week for 20 years, not to exceed $520,000.
“Like all of our annuity games, the Weekly Bonus offers players the chance to experience that winning feeling over and over,” said Texas Lottery Commission Deputy Executive Director Gary Grief. “Finding this prize so close to his birthday only makes Mr. Longoria’s win that much more impressive.”
Longoria says he has modest, practical plans for his new income.
“Right now, I want to get all my bills paid. Then I’ll see what else I want to do.”
The Valero Corner Store #2648, located at 10302 Interstate Highway 10 Service Road in Jacinto City, sold Longoria the winning ticket.
Friday’s Mega Millions® jackpot is worth an estimated $57 million. Saturday’s Lotto Texas® jackpot is worth an estimated $16 million.
