It's A Winner! Lottery Ticket Purchased in Encinitas Yields $543K

ENCINITAS, CA: A San Diego man plans to venture into the area's pricey local real estate market after winning the largest Fantasy 5 jackpot so far this year, the state lottery announced Thursday.

Sean Zanderson told lottery officials that he went to buy deodorant at the Vons supermarket at 453 Santa Fe Drive in Encinitas on May 1 and also purchased five plays in the daily Fantasy 5 game.

"I was out with my girlfriend and friends at dinner when I checked my phone with my ticket and realized I had won," Zanderson said.

The winner matched the numbers 19, 23, 32, 35 and 36, making it worth $543,579 before federal taxes. He told lottery officials he would use the money for a down payment on a house.

"I had to step outside for a minute to double-check. I couldn't believe it," he said. "My girlfriend had just paid the bill, but I bought a round of drinks after I told everyone."

Zanderson, whose good fortune came two days after his 37th birthday, said he might also take a vacation and go out for night on the town.

According to the lottery, the Fantasy 5 game offers some of the best odds of any of its games.

City News Service