Kingstown, St. Vincent, April 22, 2026- A Park Hill resident has become St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ latest millionaire after claiming an EC$1,170,000 jackpot from the National Lotteries Authority (NLA), following years of consistently playing the same set of numbers.
Giovanni Blake was officially presented with his winnings during a cheque handover ceremony held at the National Lottery’s compound, where he described his reaction to the life-changing win as calm.
“Feeling normal, I’m humbled,” Blake said, noting that despite the magnitude of the prize, he intends to maintain a grounded approach to life.
Blake explained that his winning numbers 1, 8, 9, 16 and 17 were not randomly chosen but were first identified in September 2019. He said the numbers had “called in a draw” at that time, prompting him to take a screenshot and save them.
“From then on, I have been playing them,” he said, adding that he remained consistent with the same sequence for several years before finally securing the jackpot. “It’s been a long while, so now it’s my turn. It’s my blessing.”
According to officials, Blake purchased just two tickets on the night of the draw, spending a total of EC$4.
In remarks at the ceremony, Chairperson of the NLA Mrs. Luann Hadaway congratulated Blake, describing him as humble and encouraging him to make thoughtful decisions about his newfound wealth.
“Winning a million dollars is not a simple part of your life. It’s going to change your life drastically,” she said, urging him to invest wisely in areas such as education and property and to avoid being pressured into hasty decisions.
Blake did not outline specific plans for the money but emphasized his intention to remain calm and grounded.
The ceremony also recognized retailer Joy Samuel of Samuel Tool Rentals, whose business sold the winning ticket, with a bonus of EC$17,550.
Officials noted that Blake’s win marks the second million-dollar-plus jackpot in the country’s lotto history, following a previous record payout in 2020.
The NLA used the occasion to encourage Vincentians to participate in the lottery, emphasizing that persistence can pay off.
For Blake, that persistence spanning several years and rooted in a single set of numbers has now delivered a life-changing reward.