2026 Press Releases
September 15, 2026
Wilmington Woman Alters Her “System” and Wins $25,000 Playing PLAY 5®
DOVER, Del. (Sept. 15, 2026) — Delaware Lottery player Jaidae Shearin typically purchases five tickets at once when she plays. However, for the Delaware Lottery PLAY 5® drawing on Sept. 1, 2026, Shearin changed things up and purchased only one ticket. As it turned out, that one was all the 25-year-old Wilmington resident needed. She selected her own numbers, matched all five and won $25,000 during the PLAY 5® day drawing. The winning numbers Shearin matched were 3, 9, 3, 1 and 6.
Since Shearin started playing the Delaware Lottery at age 20, she has won a few prizes but nothing as significant as this $25,000 PLAY 5® prize. The Delaware native purchased her winning ticket at Shiva Grocery & Variety Store, located at 1218 Vandever Ave. in Wilmington.
“I was surprised when they scanned the ticket,” said Shearin, with a big smile. “My father was the first person I told about the win.”
Although Shearin mainly plays the Delaware Lottery for fun, she appreciates the financial support a large prize like this can offer. She says she doesn’t plan on buying anything with the $25,000 but instead will allow the money to impact her life through saving it.
“It’s always a happy moment for us when we present a winner with their prize, and Jaidae was no exception,” said Helene Keeley, director of the Delaware Lottery. “We love to hear about a lottery prize bringing a little extra benefit to someone’s life, whether that’s the joy of buying something special or the freedom to pay bills — or, in Jaidae’s case, the peace of mind of saving for a rainy day. No matter if you play for entertainment or the excitement of a ‘big win,’ we remind everyone to enjoy the experience responsibly.”
Shearin, who works at a Holiday Inn, claimed her $25,000 prize at Delaware Lottery Headquarters on Sept. 3.
PLAY 5® is a daily-draw game that offers players the chance to win up to $50,000 twice a day, with drawings held at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m. Players can find PLAY 5® and other exciting draw games at Delaware Lottery Retailers statewide.
About the Delaware Lottery
Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed $6 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®, POWERBALL® Xs & Os™, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, PLAY 3®, PLAY 4®, PLAY 5®, Keno®, Sports Lottery, Instant Games, iLottery, 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.
