Brick Man's $200K Prize Is 3rd Big Scratch-Off Lottery Win

BRICK, NJ -- Mike Ducker might want to consider renting himself out as a lucky charm.

The Brick Township man definitely seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to the New Jersey Lottery’s scratch-off games. He won $200,000 playing the $500 Frenzy game -- his third big scratch-off ticket win.

Ducker, who bought the $5 winning ticket at Wine O Land retail store in Howell, has a history of winning with scratch-off tickets. In December 2013, he won $20,000 playing the 20X Cash game. A week later, in January 2014, he won $20,000 more in the same game, with both tickets being purchased at Singin Oil, 300 Hurley Ave., Lakewood. Ducker also has won more than 20 $1,000 instant prizes on various games, according to New Jersey Lottery officials.

Ducker’s $200,000 win was celebrated at Wine O Land, with a ceremonial check presented to him by Carole Hedinger, executive director of the New Jersey Lottery. The retail store owner received a $5,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket, lottery officials said.

Ducker, who said he has been playing scratch-off games since 2013, said he finds playing the lottery relaxing and it offers a level of excitement and anticipation.

“It’s a hobby for me,” he said. “Sometimes I buy a full pack and other times I just buy a single ticket. If I find a winning ticket, like $500, I stop playing.”

Ducker said he keeps track of his ticket purchases in a log. He notes where he purchases the tickets and the pack and ticket numbers.

He also said he only spends a much money on the lottery games as he can afford to lose.

“There are days that I don’t have good results but I don’t let it upset me. I know that it is a part of the game,” he said. If he’s not lucky for a while he stops playing.

“I am going to buy a new vehicle and after renting for many years, it (the $200,000 win) will help with a down payment on a house -- when the time is right,” he said. The win also “provides a bit of financial security during our unpredictable economy.”

“I get great pleasure in knowing that players don’t need multimillion dollar prize wins to change their lives in positive ways,” Hedinger said.

But Hedinger also said the lottery is dedicated to its message of playing responsibly.

“We want everyone to enjoy playing the lottery as entertainment and remind our players to play responsibly,” she said.

Since June 1999, lottery officials have participated on the Council of Compulsive Gambling’s Board of Directors. The Council’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline number is printed on every New Jersey Lottery ticket, and on all brochures and signage, and it also appears as a tag line on all of the Lottery’s radio and television advertisements, officials said. The Lottery’s website directs visitors to the Council’s site, where members of the public can get free information and help.

(Mike Ducker, with New Jersey Lottery Executive Director Carole Hedinger and Sarath Mandabati, owner of Wine O Land in Howell where Ducker purchased his winning ticket. Credit: New Jersey Lottery)