Roswell Couple Wins $60,000 Scratcher Prize

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5/13/2010 - ALBUQUERQUE – A Roswell couple claimed a $60,000 Scratcher prize from the New Mexico Lottery yesterday.

Edwin “Bill” Berckes and his wife, Connie, won the top prize playing the lottery’s “Strike It Rich” Scratcher. After
paying off a truck loan, the Berckes plan to share their good fortune with their church and three grown children.


Bill Berckes bought his lucky ticket on Mother’s Day at Town & Country No. 170 located at 600 W. College Blvd. in Roswell. A lottery retailer since 1996, the store has sold 26 large prize-winning tickets ranging between $1,000 and $100,000.

Playing on sentimental occasions seems to be Berckes’ secret to success. Over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2004, the retired postal service inspector hit a $30,000 Scratcher prize.

Other recent Roswell winners include Scratcher players Teresa Peralta who won $15,000; Evelina Villa, $5,000; Horacio Gutierrez, $2,000; and Norma Lake and Alvin Padilla, $1,000 each. J.P. Johnson III won a $600 Mega Millions prize.

Lottery Beneficiaries in Chaves County

All net revenues from the sale of New Mexico Lottery games benefit a tuition assistance program for New Mexico residents attending the state’s public colleges and universities.

Since its inception in 1996, the lottery has raised $435 million for education and more than 61,000 students have received Legislative Lottery Scholarships. As of the Spring 2009 semester, 2,200 high school graduates from Chaves County have received $7.6 million in Legislative Lottery Scholarships.