2026 Press Releases
January 2, 2026
Delaware Student Wins $12,000 Playing Queen of Hearts Instant Game
Dover, DE — Nicholas Mazzotta, a 22-year-old student from Wilmington, DE, has claimed a $12,000 prize from the Delaware Lottery’s Queen of Hearts Instant Game. Mazzotta claimed his prize at Delaware Lottery Headquarters on January 2, 2026.
The winning ticket was purchased at Fairfax News, located at 2121 Concord Pike in Wilmington. A Delaware native, Mazzotta said he had just started playing the Lottery last week and typically purchases only one ticket at a time. This marks his first Lottery win.
When he realized he had won, Mazzotta said his reaction was immediate disbelief, punctuated by a very colorful exclamation. The first person he shared the news with was his brother. He plans to use the winnings to help pay for school and said the prize has given him a fresh perspective as he begins the new year. The young student concluded that winning a top prize left him feeling #blessed.
“We’re happy for Nicholas and excited to see this win help support his educational goals,” said Helene Keeley, Director of the Delaware Lottery. “It’s always rewarding to see how a Lottery prize can make a meaningful difference, especially for someone just starting out.”
Queen of Hearts is one of many $5 Instant Games available from the Delaware Lottery. This game offers players the chance to win prizes up to $12,000 instantly and includes a bonus game on the back of each ticket for even more chances to win. Delaware Lottery players can find Queen of Hearts and other fun Instant Games at Delaware Lottery retailers statewide.
About the Delaware Lottery:
Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed $6.0 billion to the state’s General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery offers a variety of games: POWERBALL®, MEGA MILLIONS®, LOTTO AMERICA®, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, LUCKY FOR LIFE®, PLAY 3, PLAY 4, PLAY 5, Keno®, Sports Lottery and Instant Games, iGaming, Video Lottery and Table Games. Delaware Lottery game and promotional details are available at delottery.com, at licensed locations, and from the Lottery’s office in Dover.
Winner Privacy is our Policy.
The Delaware Lottery only publishes winner names with their consent.
