September 10, 2012 -- Thinking that something was “wrong” with his CT Lottery “Win for Life Edition 18” instant ticket, because he didn’t see a prize amount in dollars listed below his matching number, 27, Emmanuel Howell of Bridgeport put his ticket aside for a bit.  Coming back to it a short while later, Howell looked at the ticket again, this time more closely, and re-read the words printed below his number match, “WIN FOR LIFE.”  

“When it occurred to me that I might have won the Win for Life top prize ($5,000 a month for life), I was hoping that it wasn’t bogus,” Howell told lottery officials with a quiet chuckle.  “I mean, I always played to win this prize, but you never expect it.”

Win for Life is one of the CT Lottery’s most popular instant games offered, because the value of its top prize is based on the longevity of its winners.  The top prize will provide Howell $5,000 a month, every month, for the rest of his life.

Howell arrived at CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill this morning where his top prize ticket was officially confirmed a winner.  “I felt elated,” Howell told Lottery officials.  “It finally seemed real after that.”

Accepting his first of many monthly prize checks for $3,416 (value after taxes), Howell didn’t expect his life to change much, except to be able to make some improvements to his home and to take more frequent vacations to visit his family.

For selling Howell his top prize winning Win for Life Edition 18 ticket, Stop & Shop, located at 200 E. Main Street in Stratford, will receive a $10,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery.
 
The Win for Life series was introduced into the CT Lottery portfolio in January 1998. The current game has a top prize of $5,000 a month for life with a guaranteed minimum payout of at least $1 million.