All hail ‘King Fraser’ - Struggling dad wins new life with Super Lotto jackpot

As he walked in to the sounds of the popular Protoje and Popcaan song Like Royalty, it was hard to tell what A. Fraser was feeling behind his kingly mask yesterday.

But one thing was for certain; he was more than $500 million richer. At the handover of his winning cheque, Fraser was also decked out in a robe and crown. Fraser came into his new-found wealth, thanks to Supreme Ventures Limited's (SVL) Super Lotto jackpot, which he won on April 4 with a ticket he bought at the True Friends Emporium, located in Osborne Store, Clarendon. But Fraser almost missed his chance at a new life, as he didn't realise he was the winner.

"I was on the phone with a friend and they were calling out the winning numbers. Me eye dem wide out when me see say me win, cold bump start wash me!" said an emotional Fraser.

The magnitude of his win brought Fraser to tears as he recounted numerous struggles that he faced in his childhood, and ones he is facing now while raising his own children.

"Lord knows I been through a lot of struggles. I remember as a youth, some days were rough. Even as a father now, there were days I could hardly find it to buy food for the kids. I always tell them to keep the faith and that whenever I get money, they will be alright. So now dem alright," he said.

In fact, Fraser said he was so moved by the good news that he ran out to his children and exclaimed "Unnu daddy rich!"

The Super Lotto betting game has had 24 winners since its launch in 2009, with Jamaican winners taking 13 of those winning slots. Debbie Green, general manager of International Game Technology, which provides lottery technology, content, and ongoing services and support in Jamaica, said that Jamaicans just have a knack for being lucky.

"People are tied to wedding dates, and birthdays and anniversaries, so they feel these are lucky numbers. But the reality of it is that if you play long enough, you may find yourself in the winner's circle, and Jamaicans are playing at a higher rate than the other jurisdictions."

As the game continues to produce more multi-millionaires, officials at SVL said they are dedicated to ensuring winners make wise decisions with their jackpots.

"There are a lot of people who think when others win these monies that they squander it. We have decided not to leave it to chance. We have certain banking partners that give us advice as a major corporation. What better than to share that advice with the winners," said Gary Peart, executive chairman for SVL.

Fraser said he plans on investing his winnings, and securing his children's future through wise investments.