Southport Man’s Day Off Pays Off With $300K Lottery Prize

SOUTHPORT, CT — Southport resident Christopher Gerasimopoulos was stunned to reveal his $300,000 prize on a “$3,000,000 Royale” Instant Ticket.

“I have no words right now,” Gerasimopoulos said in disbelief, according to Lottery officials.

Gerasimopoulos was simply in the right place, at the right time when he decided to play.

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“It’s funny, I rarely buy the $30 games,” Gerasimopoulos told Lottery officials. “I had the day off—happened to be in the area and got this ticket. I had the clerk check (the ticket) – it was bizarre!”

The Royale winner held tight onto his winning ticket before traveling to the CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill.

“I had this ticket on me at all times,” he said. “I slept with it – I have animals and thought, ‘What if the dog eats it!?’”

An ecstatic Gerasimopoulos couldn’t stop smiling when meeting with Lottery officials, “All my debt is gone, student loans, car loans — gone.”

Gerasimopoulos plans to take care of his family and facilitate his career in Health and Wellness. But first, he wants to take a much-needed vacation.

“You can’t win if you don’t play,” an elated Gerasimopoulos said as he celebrated his massive winner check.

For selling the winning ticket, Derby Mart located on 49 Elizabeth Street in Derby, will receive a $3,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery.

Photo via CT Lottery

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