67-year-old retired government worker Robert Bailey, who has been playing the same special six numbers persistently for 25 years, finally hit a jackpot of $343.8 million, the largest amount in New York lottery history.
He came forward on Wednesday to claim last month’s winning lucky Powerball ticket, which he bought from a deli in Harlem, and all of his numbers were matched for the prize.
"A family member gave me the numbers over 25 years ago and I faithfully play them," he said.
Responding to reporters’ questions about his intentions after winning millions of dollars, he said that one of his aims is buying a house for his mother and that he will "do the right thing with the money."
Even though he is now a millionaire, he said that he will keep playing the same numbers again.
"Yes, I will continue playing my numbers until this train runs out."
Before landing $343.8 million, the most he had won was $30,000 from a Take Five lottery ticket.
He will receive half of the nearly $700 million prize, because an unnamed woman in Iowa who also has the winning numbers and will receive the other half the prize.
