Keyser Woman Wins $40,000 Playing Black Pearls

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave announced today that Aleisa Burns of Keyser has won $40,000 playing the West Virginia Lottery's Black Pearls instant game.

Burns, 51, plays lottery games regularly and purchased the lucky ticket at the Knobley Farms Convenience Shop in New Creek. She was accompanied by her friend Anhara when she claimed her prize at lottery headquarters in Charleston on Wednesday.

“I was in line to get tickets and the woman in front of me asked for Black Pearls, but when she heard it was a $5 ticket she said no way and didnt buy it, so I did,” Burns said. “I sat down at a table at work to scratch off the ticket and started screaming.”

Burns has two teenage granddaughters, Meagan and Autumn. She plans to pay off her house and get a new car with her winnings.