News writer
A piece of history tied to one of the most infamous lottery scandals ever uncovered is looking for a new owner. A seemingly authenticated Pennsylvania Lottery ticket connected to the 1980 "Triple Six Fix" scandal was discovered at an estate sale in western Pennsylvania. Now, the ticket has been listed for auction on eBay. The seller believes the ticket may have been preserved for decades by someone involved in the criminal investigation. This is a rare opportunity for collectors to own an artifact from one of the most notorious moments in U.S. lottery history.
An estate sale find
The ticket found itself back in the spotlight when Pennsylvania resident John Zenewicz went to an estate sale in Saxonburg, which is just north of Pittsburgh.
Zenewicz frequently shops at estate sales and then resells any unique items he may have found. During this Saxonburg estate sale, he spotted an old Pennsylvania Lottery ticket that happened to be sealed in a protective case.
Zenewicz said the ticket immediately looked familiar.
He told CBS Pittsburgh:
I remember the style of ticket because my dad would buy them when I was a boy. And I was like, 'Why would someone encase an old lottery ticket?' and the only thing that could pop to my mind was that story that I remember. I was 10 years old.
He did some research on the item and learned that one of the home's previous owners had worked in law enforcement during the Triple Six Fix investigation. This made Zenewicz believe that someone may have kept the ticket as evidence or a keepsake connected to the case.
The "Triple Six Fix" scandal
The original scandal took place on April 24, 1980. During Pennsylvania's Daily Number drawing, the winning combination came up 6-6-6.
As Lottery USA previously reported, investigators later discovered the drawing had been manipulated after several of the numbered balls were secretly weighted with latex paint. This made it far more likely that only the numbers 4 and 6 could be selected.
The drawing was hosted by TV personality Nick Perry. He was later convicted, along with several co-conspirators, after authorities uncovered the scheme.
The case became known as the “Triple Six Fix” and remains one of the most famous examples of lottery fraud in American history.
Owning a piece of lottery history
While this scandal has been examined in books, documentaries, and news reports over the years, there are rarely any physical artifacts directly connected to the case that appear in public. That rarity is what makes this auction extra special.
For the listing, it states the ticket is an “original 1980 Pennsylvania Lottery Triple Six Fix evidence ticket.” The listing includes documentation explaining the reported history of the ticket.
At the time of this writing, bidding had already begun on the ticket. The listing was already over $200 with six days still to go.
Whether the final sale price climbs any higher or not, the ticket does serve as a reminder of a scandal that permanently changed lottery security procedures. It remains one of the most talked-about stories in lottery history.
For collectors, it's more than just an old lottery ticket. It's a tangible connection to one of the biggest scandals the lottery world has ever seen.
Enjoy playing the Pennsylvania Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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