Retired security officer from Lacey checked numbers two other ways before believing; will use winnings for remodeling, investing, and to buy his brother the lawn tractor he’s always wanted
Olympia, WA (July 6, 2026) – Two things happened to Mark Bell last week that didn’t quite make sense to him the moment they came together. First, he bought a new iPhone for the first time in years, after which he downloaded all his favorite apps, including the Washington’s Lottery app. Second, he scanned the lottery tickets he bought earlier that week. That’s when his new phone told him he won $315,000.
“I immediately thought I scanned it wrong,” said Bell. “I thought my new phone has to be lying to me. There’s no way this is true.”
Bell still had his old phone, so he opened the app there and scanned the ticket. Same result: he was the sole $315,000 HIT 5 cashpot winner from the June 24 drawing. Still not quite believing it, Bell went to the Washington’s Lottery website and checked each number individually against his ticket. The joy finally sank in as soon as he signed the back of his ticket.
Bell, a Lacey resident who retired two years ago after a 28-year career as a security officer at Clover Park Technical College, celebrated the news with a friend and by getting some nice gifts for his nieces, who all have birthdays in July. He also plans to remodel the master bathroom in his home, upgrade his kitchen appliances, and invest a large portion of his winnings.
“One thing I’m really excited to do is to buy my brother something he’s always wanted for his yard, which is a riding lawn tractor,” added Bell.
Bell purchased the winning ticket at his local grocery store, the Fred Meyer located at 700 Sleater Kinney Rd SE in Lacey. He shops there weekly, picking up a small selection of HIT 5, Lotto, and occasionally Powerball tickets, as well, using the QuickPick function to choose his numbers for him. In this case, the first line of his $2 HIT 5 ticket was the winner.
HIT 5 is a Washington state lottery game that replaced Quinto in 2007. Each play is $1. Players pick five numbers between 1 and 42. Alternatively, players may use Quick Pick by letting the computer select their numbers. With four winning ball combinations, the more numbers that match those drawn, the more a player will win. Players can find Washington’s Lottery retail locations here.
Who Benefits
Since 1982, Washington’s Lottery has generated more than $5.7 billion to support several important state programs. The Lottery’s primary beneficiary is the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA), which provides much-needed funding for programs including early childhood education, the WA Grant and College Bound program, Washington Award for Vocational Excellence, and more. These programs help provide critical services and support to thousands of Washington residents each year and help improve their lives.
Beneficiary Fact
Washington’s Lottery is proud to be a financial supporter of the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), which administers state financial aid programs. WSAC leads a variety of initiatives to increase educational opportunities for students, families, and educators across the state, with a particular focus on increasing equity by reaching communities of color and students from low-income families. The Lottery also proudly supports the state’s Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP), a state-funded pre-K program that helps children become kindergarten-ready by building early skills in reading, math and science. The program works closely with parents to support their children’s health and education.
About Washington’s Lottery: The state’s Lottery offers consumers several types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Pick 3, Cash POP, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @walottery.
Keep it fun. Know your limit. Washington’s Lottery is an advocate for responsible gaming and collaborates with the Evergreen Council for Problem Gambling to provide resources for those in need. More information is available at www.walottery.com/Responsibility.
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Press Contacts
Dan Miller (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: dan.miller@curatorpr.com
Xiamara Garza-Urbieta (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: xiamara.garza@curatorpr.com