I won record-breaking $344million lottery – I received less than half of the jackpot but my strategy finally paid off
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AN ex-postal worker who won a record-breaking $344million lottery received less than half of the Powerball jackpot.
But the Harlem man was “shocked” his strategy of playing the same numbers for more than 25 years finally paid off.
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Robert Bailey was one of two jackpot winners in the draw – alongside single mom Lerynne West of Iowa.
Amazingly, he scooped the massive prize after sticking to the same numbers for more than a quarter of a century.
He said: “A family member gave me the numbers over 25 years ago and I faithfully played them.”
Bailey arrived alone to claim his Powerball prize, and even joked that he might need a bodyguard, reported The New York Times.
The retired government employee became on of the biggest jackpot winners in New York Lottery history after buying his ticket from the West Harlem Deli on Fifth Ave. at 126th St.
He said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision as he normally bought his tickets at the same three or four stores
However, he said: “I was taking care of a friend. I jumped out of the car because it was raining, ran in there (the deli), played my numbers and ran out.”
On the night of the drawing, Bailey recalled “watching regular college football.”
He added: “Around 11.30 at night I checked my numbers online.
“I was shocked. I didn’t notice the Powerball right away. Sure enough, I was blessed. I was just in shock.
“I said to myself, ‘These look like my numbers.’ I tried to remain calm and sat down to watch some shows I had on my DVR.
“I stayed up all night and waited to see how many people were going to win. I noticed I was one of two winners, the other was in Iowa.”
“HUMBLE”
Bailey took his winnings as a lump sum payment of $198,086,518 after his numbers matched all six in the draw.
After tax withholdings removed a huge chunk of that amount, he was set to receive $125,396,690, according to the New York Gaming Commission.
Describing himself as a “humble” man to reporters, he would have preferred to remain anonymous, but New York State law prevents claiming lottery prizes privately.
Bailey said he feared for his safety after his big win was publicly revealed.
VEGAS
His plans for the money included buying “a house for my mother, God bless her, with a little land.”
Bailey also said that his dream was to take a trip to Vegas.
Luck appears to be on his side, as the dad has previously enjoyed a substantial lottery win playing his lucky numbers, scooping $30,000 on a Take 5 ticket.
His fellow winner, West, a mom-of-three from Redfield, told The Des Moines Register that a clerk had generated the numbers randomly for her.
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