Man wins $3.5 million jackpot after playing same lottery numbers for 22 years

(Gray News) - Persistence paid off for an Ohio man who won a $3.5 million lottery jackpot after playing the same numbers for 22 years.

After 22 years of playing the same six numbers, a man won a $3.5 million jackpot in the Ohio Lottery’s Classic Lotto game. The numbers – 6, 8, 16, 20, 26 and 45 – were drawn Feb. 4, according to a press release.

When the man saw the results, he yelled to his wife, “We’re going to get a really big pool!” He also officially retired after winning.

The man says he kept playing the same numbers for years even though he only got a couple of small wins because he’s “stubborn.” With help from his best friend, the snowbird would spend $10 a month on tickets, even if he was out of town.

The winner chose the cash option of $1.7 million and will receive approximately $1,280,000 after taxes. In addition to the big pool he promised his wife, he plans to buy a house and create a home gym.

The winning ticket was sold at a Mapco convenience store in Akron.