Scratch and Sniff Works for $50,000 Lottery Winner

Phyllis Bowman of Tacoma got the surprise of a lifetime on July 10 when her everyday dog walk turned into a $50,00 lottery win. She purchased the winning “Neon 5’s” Scratch ticket from Pop’s Deli Mart (7202 6th Ave.) in Tacoma.

“I usually take my dog on walks to the store, and this time I decided to go in and buy a Lottery ticket. My dog loves to stop and sniff on our walks, so I scratched it on the way back when he smelled something interesting,” Bowman told Washington’s Lottery officials.

“First, I scratched and saw a moneybag, but didn’t see how much it was worth. Then, I realized it was a $50,000 win and thought to myself, ‘Oh my!’”

Bowman said she immediately called her nephew who lives next door to share the good news. “I had told him to come outside, and then asked him if the ticket said what I thought it said. He looked at the it and said, ‘Whoa, you just won $50,000.’”

She also shared that she is going to use the money to do something special for a family member. “My sister’s birthday is coming up. We’re planning a trip to Vancouver on the Clipper Ferry for September. We’ve never been, and have always wanted to visit together!”

Proceeds from Washington’s Lottery benefit the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account, providing grants to college students statewide. To learn more about Washington’s Lottery, its beneficiaries and to review all up-to-date winning numbers, please visit www.walottery.com.