EVELETH — A longtime Powerball player from Eveleth says he knew it was only a matter of time before he hit a big jackpot — and he was right.

Richard Mervich recently became the state’s latest $1 million winner.

His quick-pick ticket matched five numbers in the Aug. 31 drawing.

He didn’t realize he’d won until the next morning, when he was running some errands and decided to check the Powerball and Hot Lotto tickets he’d bought. When he checked the Powerball ticket a message told him to claim his prize at the lottery office in Roseville.

Mervich said his philosophy came true. He said his motto has been, “It’s a matter of when — not if — I’m going to win something.”