At least twice a week multitudes of Belizeans set aside $2 for their chance to become a Fantasy 5 Jackpot Winner.
For many, that's the dream of a quick and bountiful boon of over $100,000BZD that they hope can change their lives.
Well, that's just what happened for one Caye Caulker man this week but he says that due to an expired social security card he had to wait a week to collect his earnings. We spoke to him today about the win and what he plans to do with the cash.
Cherisse Halsall:
"Mr Arnold how does it feel to have won the big prize?"
Voice of: Lester Arnold, Fantasy 5 Winner
"Fortunate and blessed."
Cherisse Halsall:
"Where were you and what were you doing when you go the call?"
Lester Arnold, Fantasy 5 Winner
"Well, actually I bought the ticket and the next. I was looking at it and thought I only had 4 numbers, but when I went to the store that I bought it at, the guy said somebody finally from Caye Caulker won it and that is when I knew and I was like wow!"
"My stuff was expired you know I couldn't collect it because my social expired on my birthday and all my dam I.D.s expired on my birthday so I had to wait a week."
Reporter:
"What is your plan for this money?"
Lester Arnold, Fantasy 5 Winner
"I got a piece of property from Mr. Heredia I am going to build on it, a house so I don't have to pay rent, you know."
Cherisse Halsall:
"Were you worried those days when you were waiting to pick up that social that mean I have to hold onto this ticket, what if I use it?"
Lester Arnold, Fantasy 5 Winner
"Not really because I had come here so if anybody got a hold of that ticket whatever way they wouldn't be able to show up here because they had already seen my face, you know, but I basically said you have to renew your social and I waited so long to win it and I can wait another week to collect it. So, I didn't really trip you know I just went back to Caye Caulker to the office and they told me to come and get the card today so we managed to do it today."
"It's only my sister, my older sister I told my kids live in the United States and they are too damn old you know and basically they, it's a little bit of money compared to them living in the United States but it's a blessing because I need it."
"When you are paying rent you're homeless, regardless of what you think. You might end up paying 30, 40,000 dollars in 5 years to your landlord and your homeless. This gives me a chance to have a home."
"I only buy it, I look at it this way I spend $6 every week Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and I make $25 sometimes off of it most of the time and I guess it's my time now to be blessed that I got the full 5 numbers you know what I'm saying so I'll just take like one step at a time."
Today's Winnings were $291,000.00 before taxes with the actual take-home prize being $247,350.00.
