News Release

$102,497 Gopher 5^® Prize is Worth the Long Drive for Pipestone Resident

NOVEMBER 4, 2009 — Dwayne Adams of Pipestone won a $102,497 Gopher 5 prize. The quick-pick ticket that he purchased for the Oct. 30 drawing was one of two tickets sold that matched all five numbers drawn (1-10-18-23-47) to split the $204,994 jackpot.

Adams said that he’s been playing Gopher 5 since it started, but never thought he’d actually win the jackpot. He was happy to find out he was wrong about that earlier this week. Adams found out that his ticket was a big winner after asking a sales associate at a Lottery retailer to scan it along with some others that he’d had for a while. He said that the sales associate was about as surprised as he was. “She hadn’t ever seen one like that before!”

Adams claimed the prize at the Lottery’s headquarters in Roseville on Nov. 3. He said that it was a long drive, “but worth it.” 

JB’s Foodmart, located at 102 – 8th Ave. S.E. in Pipestone, sold Adams’ winning ticket.

The other half of the jackpot was claimed by Doug Christensen of Springfield.

Gopher 5 is Minnesota’s own cash lotto for which players pick five numbers from 1 to 47 for a chance to win a jackpot of at least $100,000. The odds of matching all five numbers to win the jackpot are 1 in 1,533,939. The odds are 1 in 7,304 for matching four of five numbers to win $500; 1 in 178 for matching three of five numbers to win $15; and 1 in 13 for matching two of five numbers to win $1. The approximate overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 12.

Gopher 5 drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after the Daily 3® and Northstar Cash® drawings. Tickets must be purchased by 6:10 p.m. on the day of the drawing.

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling (651) 635-8273. TTY users should dial (651) 635-8268 or (800) 657-3833.

Stop back often to read the latest Minnesota State Lottery stories as they happen.