7 News Belize

Dream Come Through For Lady Who Wins Fantasy Five
posted (February 7, 2012)
For those with a taste for gambling - Belize offers no shortage of opportunities to part with your money for the chance (but never the likelihood) to win a small fortune.

In terms of state-sanctioned games of chance, there's Boledo, Lotto, Mega-Bingo, and now Fantasy Five. And, if after all that, you still aren't satisfied - well, you can just go to the casino and gamble it all out!

But, back to the story - tonight's one is about the newest lottery game in town - Fantasy 5 which promises six figure winnings. It started on December 8th - and 2 months later - their first ever lottery winner travelled from Dangriga to Belize City to claim her winnings. Irene Lopez not only won herself two hundred thousand dollars but also got the title for the biggest lottery payout in Belize's history. Today she told us she received the good news after returning home from church on Saturday night.

Irene Lopez, winner
"I got home about 8:30 and my housekeeper was by the door, she was screaming and yelling."

"I said 'what' and she said 'surprise!' I said I was hungry and so I ate and after that I took my Fantasy Five ticket and I went in front of the TV and scan it and then I look to the bottom of it and I told her to read the numbers for me while I look. So she read the numbers and I look. While she was reading I said yes I got that, I got that, I got that!!!! And then I screamed out. That was it."

Monica Bodden
"How were those lucky numbers chosen?"

Irene Lopez, winner
"In random, just like that."

Monica Bodden
"So it wasn't a quick pick? There were numbers that you were buying."

Irene Lopez, winner
"Just like 3 weeks I staring buying those numbers."

Monica Bodden
"What plan you have for this money?"

Irene Lopez, winner
"I have a house that's not completed. So I will have it completed. That's what I will do."

Monica Bodden
"You plan on continuing playing the game?"

Irene Lopez, winner "Oh yes, why not. I have to buy my Fantasy Five."

Monica Bodden
"You always buy Fantasy Five?"

Irene Lopez, winner
"From the time it started, every week."

After taxes Lopez took home one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. The jackpot returns to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

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