Shortly after arriving in the United States from Vietnam 14 years ago, Kiet Ho says, he won $25,000 in Florida lottery games three years in a row.
Since then, he has been known around Margate as a lucky guy.
On Sunday Ho's luck struck again, but this time for a customer who won half of a $42 million jackpot after purchasing a ticket from him Saturday night at the Margate Chevron Gas Station, 5200 W. Sample Road.
"I'm happy for the guy," Ho said Sunday afternoon. "I'm lucky every time."
Lottery officials did not identify holders of the two winning tickets, from Margate and Port Charlotte, on Sunday.
But Ho said he thinks one of the winners was a man to whom he sold a ticket at about 9:30 Saturday night.
He said the man asked him to sell him a "good one."
"When I said, 'Good luck, see you tomorrow,' he said, 'I will come back and give you some,'" Ho said.
Ho said the man called him at the gas station early Sunday morning, asking what the winning numbers were. When Ho said the numbers 10-11-18-24-26-35, the man said: "Oh, my God, I have all the numbers. I won."
Ho did not know the man's name, but described him as a man in his 30s who comes to the station on Saturdays.
He said the man didn't return Sunday after the phone call.
A total of 235 tickets matched five numbers to win $4,641.50; 13,189 tickets matched four numbers for $67; and 267,136 tickets matched three numbers for $4.50, according to the Florida Lottery officials in Tallahassee.
Lottery officials said the station will get $22,500, but Ho and other employees said the money would go to the Chevron Co., not the person who sold the ticket.
Some customers said they weren't surprised that Ho, 44, of Coconut Creek, sold the winning ticket.
Norma Albarracin, a Publix employee who worked with Ho at a store near the station, said he always won the scratch-off game when he worked there.
She said when she heard the Chevron had sold one of the winning tickets, she knew Ho was involved. "He's very lucky," she said. "He always wins."
Kip Glueck, 51, a Margate resident, said he purchased $150 worth of tickets from the Chevron station hoping to win the $42 million jackpot because it's a lucky store.
"I've gotten more than 500 winners out of here," said Glueck. "That's why I come by here every morning."
Lottery officials said the station will get $22,500, but Ho and other employees said the money would go to the Chevron Co., not the person who sold the ticket.
Why shouldn't Chevron get the money? Maybe they'll donate it to charity. Actually, I'm pretty sure the store owner gets the bonus, but it depends upon the agreement he has with Chevron. By the way, Ho is just trying to get a reward. First of all, the man who bought the ticket said in an interview that he and his wife check their numbers online and that's how they discovered they won. There was no mention at all about calling the store.
When Ho said the numbers 10-11-18-24-26-35, the man said: "Oh, my God, I have all the numbers. I won."
This story just didn't sound right to me when I first read it. I guess we'll see if there is another story printed.
Of course I think it would be nice if clerks got a share when a player wins a jackpot, but they don't work on commission and shouldn't expect to get a "tip" for hitting a button. In fact, I stay away from the stores where I've been asked "Will you give me some?" or "Don't forget me if you win." I'm a very friendly person and I always ask a cashier "How are you today?" I've worked in many stores and understand what it's like to work on your feet all day. But if I spend my own money that I work for buying a lottery ticket, I feel absolutely no obligation to write the clerk a check if I win.
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Feb 13, 2007
Why shouldn't Chevron get the money? Maybe they'll donate it to charity. Actually, I'm pretty sure the store owner gets the bonus, but it depends upon the agreement he has with Chevron. By the way, Ho is just trying to get a reward. First of all, the man who bought the ticket said in an interview that he and his wife check their numbers online and that's how they discovered they won. There was no mention at all about calling the store.
When Ho said the numbers 10-11-18-24-26-35, the man said: "Oh, my God, I have all the numbers. I won."
This story just didn't sound right to me when I first read it. I guess we'll see if there is another story printed.
Of course I think it would be nice if clerks got a share when a player wins a jackpot, but they don't work on commission and shouldn't expect to get a "tip" for hitting a button. In fact, I stay away from the stores where I've been asked "Will you give me some?" or "Don't forget me if you win." I'm a very friendly person and I always ask a cashier "How are you today?" I've worked in many stores and understand what it's like to work on your feet all day. But if I spend my own money that I work for buying a lottery ticket, I feel absolutely no obligation to write the clerk a check if I win.
Chevron deserves the money if the agreement is in place, of course. My point was that's just what they need is more $$$$
I betcha they donate it to their own favorite charity. Themselves.
Now that I've read the latest press release in Florida, either the clerk was telling the truth or it was a lucky guess. The winner is 26 and is a male.
It doesn't matter, he blew it when he told a reporter he expected something. Maybe the winner would have quietly given him a gift to say thanks, but after reading the above article, I might stay way from that store for a while.
Interesting comment the winner made, but it might be a misquote. He's 26 and said he'll never work again (as I said, if the article is correct) and then added "hard work pays off eventually." He's only 26! How hard has he worked? LOL
Have you ever played a ticket for the clerk? I've always wondered what would happen if you did, if you said this is for you, and the numbers hit (same ticket that you played for yourself, too, of course).
I've done it, figure it's just like betting for a blackjack dealer....this way you have someon else 'rooting for' your numbers.
"It doesn't matter, he blew it when he told a reporter he expected something."
Each winner will have their own reason for giving or not giving something to the person who sold them a winning ticket. For my part, I'd figure it's just human nature to hope for a reward and I certainly wouldn't hold that against him. Telling the press who I am, OTOH, would very definitely get them a result, and it wouldn't be the one they were hoping for. If I gave a press conference I'd make a point of saying that I would have given the clerk 25 grand if they hadn't invaded my privacy by shooting off their mouth.
Quote: Originally posted by BaristaExpress on Feb 13, 2007
with you DD.
Yes, Chevron owned stations are still out there! They are called corporate owned stores/stations.
Oh, I never really thought about it. The BP station I often use is locally owned and operated. They don't sell lottery tickets however. It would be nice if Chevron donated the money to the local community if it is a corporate owned station.
"If you live in Florida: This looks like the place to buy your Winning Lottery Tickets!"
Raven62, between the gas, the 240 mile round trip drive and the tolls, I'll pass. I need to find a lucky local place!
I have read and re-read this article , can someone please recite the paragraph where HO said he "expected" the money for selling the ticket? The best I could read "into" this article is he was happy for the winner and folks think that HO is lucky.
I agree in part that the person behind the counter isnt entitled or mandated to have a share in the winnings. I am against tipping . And on a contradictory note, I'll give to those in need. Ask humbly and ye shall receive.... beg for it/or expect it and I doubt I'd be so recipricating.
Quote: Originally posted by TheGameGrl on Feb 15, 2007
I have read and re-read this article , can someone please recite the paragraph where HO said he "expected" the money for selling the ticket? The best I could read "into" this article is he was happy for the winner and folks think that HO is lucky.
I agree in part that the person behind the counter isnt entitled or mandated to have a share in the winnings. I am against tipping . And on a contradictory note, I'll give to those in need. Ask humbly and ye shall receive.... beg for it/or expect it and I doubt I'd be so recipricating.
Sorry you wore yourself out reading something over and over again. Sometimes things are "implied" and most of this article was about the store clerk and how lucky he is. Is it his fault? No. However, the article reads:
I'm happy for the guy," Ho said Sunday afternoon. "I'm lucky every time."
"When I said, 'Good luck, see you tomorrow,' he said, 'I will come back and give you some,'" Ho said.
He might be the nicest, most honest guy in the world. Who knows? This type of article is very common. Cashiers, clerks and store owners are interviewed by reporters all the time. Just was making a comment, since he really had no idea who the winner was at the time this was published. Sounded like wishful thinking, although it's possible that the man who bought the ticket did buy it from him and did tell him he'd come back and "give him some." I'm sure all the commotion at the store got everyone excited.
Thanks for clarifying. So most who chose to misinterpret the sentences and add a spin to it came to such conclusion. Good thing that I took the original article as it was composed. With no Underlying intent by the cashier.
Absolutely. In fact, this paragraph alone shows that the reporter wasn't too familiar with the lottery or was searching for something to fill in some blank space on the page.
Lottery officials said the station will get $22,500, but Ho and other employees said the money would go to the Chevron Co., not the person who sold the ticket.
I mean, would anyone actually think the person who sells a winning ticket gets the bonus? I'm still not sure anyone here was misinterpreting as much as offering an opinion. In my case, I was only saying I wouldn't want all that local publicity if I were the winner and, I wouldn't appreciate hearing that I told someone I'd give him a share (unless I did.) I'm sure Mr. & Mrs. McNair (the winners) don't really care what Ho did or did not say now that they have their money! Maybe there is something missing from this story since, as I said, I don't see how anyone could possibly know who purchased the winning ticket or when, unless the lottery furnished that information. It was only an assumption on the clerk's part that it was a guy he sold a ticket to at 9:30 Sat night. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the lottery doesn't furnish that information before the ticket is claimed, but I am not 100% sure.
If you live in Florida: This looks like the place to buy your Winning Lottery Tickets!
Lottery officials said the station will get $22,500, but Ho and other employees said the money would go to the Chevron Co., not the person who sold the ticket.
Just what Chevron needs.....more money.
DD
Why shouldn't Chevron get the money? Maybe they'll donate it to charity. Actually, I'm pretty sure the store owner gets the bonus, but it depends upon the agreement he has with Chevron. By the way, Ho is just trying to get a reward. First of all, the man who bought the ticket said in an interview that he and his wife check their numbers online and that's how they discovered they won. There was no mention at all about calling the store.
When Ho said the numbers 10-11-18-24-26-35, the man said: "Oh, my God, I have all the numbers. I won."
This story just didn't sound right to me when I first read it. I guess we'll see if there is another story printed.
Of course I think it would be nice if clerks got a share when a player wins a jackpot, but they don't work on commission and shouldn't expect to get a "tip" for hitting a button. In fact, I stay away from the stores where I've been asked "Will you give me some?" or "Don't forget me if you win." I'm a very friendly person and I always ask a cashier "How are you today?" I've worked in many stores and understand what it's like to work on your feet all day. But if I spend my own money that I work for buying a lottery ticket, I feel absolutely no obligation to write the clerk a check if I win.
Chevron deserves the money if the agreement is in place, of course.
My point was that's just what they need is more $$$$
I betcha they donate it to their own favorite charity. Themselves.
Now that I've read the latest press release in Florida, either the clerk was telling the truth or it was a lucky guess. The winner is 26 and is a male.
It doesn't matter, he blew it when he told a reporter he expected something. Maybe the winner would have quietly given him a gift to say thanks, but after reading the above article, I might stay way from that store for a while.
Interesting comment the winner made, but it might be a misquote. He's 26 and said he'll never work again (as I said, if the article is correct) and then added "hard work pays off eventually." He's only 26! How hard has he worked? LOL
Have you ever played a ticket for the clerk? I've always wondered what would happen if you did, if you said this is for you, and the numbers hit (same ticket that you played for yourself, too, of course).
I've done it, figure it's just like betting for a blackjack dealer....this way you have someon else 'rooting for' your numbers.
Yes, Chevron owned stations are still out there! They are called corporate owned stores/stations.
"Ho is just trying to get a reward."
"It doesn't matter, he blew it when he told a reporter he expected something."
Each winner will have their own reason for giving or not giving something to the person who sold them a winning ticket. For my part, I'd figure it's just human nature to hope for a reward and I certainly wouldn't hold that against him. Telling the press who I am, OTOH, would very definitely get them a result, and it wouldn't be the one they were hoping for. If I gave a press conference I'd make a point of saying that I would have given the clerk 25 grand if they hadn't invaded my privacy by shooting off their mouth.
Oh, I never really thought about it. The BP station I often use is locally owned and operated. They don't sell lottery tickets however. It would be nice if Chevron donated the money to the local community if it is a corporate owned station.
"If you live in Florida: This looks like the place to buy your Winning Lottery Tickets!"
Raven62, between the gas, the 240 mile round trip drive and the tolls, I'll pass. I need to find a lucky local place!
I have read and re-read this article , can someone please recite the paragraph where HO said he "expected" the money for selling the ticket? The best I could read "into" this article is he was happy for the winner and folks think that HO is lucky.
I agree in part that the person behind the counter isnt entitled or mandated to have a share in the winnings. I am against tipping . And on a contradictory note, I'll give to those in need. Ask humbly and ye shall receive.... beg for it/or expect it and I doubt I'd be so recipricating.
Sorry you wore yourself out reading something over and over again. Sometimes things are "implied" and most of this article was about the store clerk and how lucky he is. Is it his fault? No. However, the article reads:
I'm happy for the guy," Ho said Sunday afternoon. "I'm lucky every time."
"When I said, 'Good luck, see you tomorrow,' he said, 'I will come back and give you some,'" Ho said.
He might be the nicest, most honest guy in the world. Who knows? This type of article is very common. Cashiers, clerks and store owners are interviewed by reporters all the time. Just was making a comment, since he really had no idea who the winner was at the time this was published. Sounded like wishful thinking, although it's possible that the man who bought the ticket did buy it from him and did tell him he'd come back and "give him some." I'm sure all the commotion at the store got everyone excited.
Thanks for clarifying. So most who chose to misinterpret the sentences and add a spin to it came to such conclusion. Good thing that I took the original article as it was composed. With no Underlying intent by the cashier.
Absolutely. In fact, this paragraph alone shows that the reporter wasn't too familiar with the lottery or was searching for something to fill in some blank space on the page.
Lottery officials said the station will get $22,500, but Ho and other employees said the money would go to the Chevron Co., not the person who sold the ticket.
I mean, would anyone actually think the person who sells a winning ticket gets the bonus? I'm still not sure anyone here was misinterpreting as much as offering an opinion. In my case, I was only saying I wouldn't want all that local publicity if I were the winner and, I wouldn't appreciate hearing that I told someone I'd give him a share (unless I did.) I'm sure Mr. & Mrs. McNair (the winners) don't really care what Ho did or did not say now that they have their money! Maybe there is something missing from this story since, as I said, I don't see how anyone could possibly know who purchased the winning ticket or when, unless the lottery furnished that information. It was only an assumption on the clerk's part that it was a guy he sold a ticket to at 9:30 Sat night. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the lottery doesn't furnish that information before the ticket is claimed, but I am not 100% sure.
he is very lucky indeed....