A Seattle resident is starting the spring $5 million richer after claiming a massive Washington State Lottery jackpot, lottery officials announced Thursday. Austin Smith, 28, came forward to collect the prize at the lottery's Olympia headquarters, where he was presented with a ceremonial oversized check in front of friends, family, and members of the media. In a detail that has captivated onlookers, Smith said it was the very first lottery ticket he had ever purchased.
Smith purchased the winning ticket on a whim at a 7-Eleven on Aurora Avenue North in the Fremont neighborhood, according to lottery spokesperson Dana Killian. He matched all six numbers in the March 4 Lotto drawing — a feat that carries odds of roughly 1 in 6.1 million. "I still can't believe how lucky I am. It doesn't feel real," Smith told reporters, still visibly stunned. "I have a buddy who plays the lottery all the time — like, every single week — and he's never won a thing. So I really wasn't expecting much. I just grabbed a ticket because I was already at the register and thought, why not?"
Lottery director Marcus Greenfield said the $5 million prize is the largest individual win in Washington state so far in 2026 and one of the biggest in the past three years. "We're thrilled for Austin and his family," Greenfield said at the check presentation ceremony. "Wins like this remind people that it really can happen to anyone — even a first-time player." Smith opted to take the lump-sum payment, which amounts to approximately $3.4 million before federal and state taxes. He said he plans to pay off his student loans, help his parents with their mortgage, and "probably take a very long vacation."
The 7-Eleven where the ticket was sold will also receive a $10,000 bonus from the lottery commission. Store manager Raj Patel said he was "shocked and excited" to learn the winning ticket came from his location. Washington State Lottery ticket sales generated more than $920 million in revenue for state programs last fiscal year, with a significant portion funding the state's early childhood education initiatives and the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account.