ODESSA, Texas — We know oil and gas in the Permian Basin generates revenue for many, but for one Odessan on Saturday, March 9, it was the Texas Lottery that produced a jackpot.
While the prize has not been claimed yet, this winner of the Texas Lottery's "Lotto Texas" game will receive over $10 million before taxes.
In north Odessa on the corner of Dixie Blvd. and VFW sits Heifer’s N Convenience Store.
“The people, the community here loves this store, they take care of it," said Matt Wood, owner of Heifer's N Convenience Store.
That location is now home to the latest vendor to sell a Texas Lottery jackpot.
“Bragging rights for sure," Wood said.
To hit the jackpot, a player must match all six numbers for the drawing that they enter.
It was on a paper slip where the one of one winner chose their numbers and processed the ticket in the store, rather than doing a "quick pick."
“Probably 20%, maybe a third of our customers actually process their own cards and have their own numbers and come in and actually get an actual pick," said Wood.
Wood said in Texas Lottery games, they as sellers do not get a portion of the winnings.
“We will not see anything, but that’s ok," Wood said. "The person who won this, like I said, this is going to be a game-changer for them – that’s a life-altering event.”
As for that jackpot winner.
“The odds of winning it all are astronomical, you know, one in 25 million of winning it all," Wood said.
Yeah, one in 25 million.
“Unimaginable is the first thing that comes to mind," Wood said. "It’s really hard to put that together.”
After taxes, Wood expects $5 million and some change for the winner.
“In Odessa, we just got another millionaire over night," Wood said. "That’s really cool for them. That’s going to change their lifestyle; it’s going to change their family. At this point they can write their own check and do whatever they want to, so that’s awesome.”
And remember those bragging rights?
“Kelton Smith over at N-N-Out -- he’s been in the business for 30 years and knowing that I got to sell a winning ticket and he hasn’t sold one yet -- it’s fun to harass each other; it’s all in fun," Wood said.
A win for the jackpot ticket holder, Wood's privately-owned store and the city.
“Odessa’s known for a lot of things, good and bad, and being able to say that we were put in the limelight for just even a minute on something this special is really nice," Wood said. "It’s really exciting.”