LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky man walked away with more than $550,000 from a Fast Play lottery game after a simple stop for an energy drink.
James Milby said he had spent years playing Scratch-offs before switching to Fast Play games on the advice of his grandson.
He won the $551,151 jackpot while playing the Kentucky Lottery’s $20 Big Money Doubler! Fast Play game.
Fast Play games offer instant cash prizes and feature a rolling jackpot that starts at $10,000, according to lottery officials.
James and his wife, Tammy, were working in their yard when he decided to stop by South Green Market in Glasgow for an energy drink. While there, he used $30 in change to try his luck.
“I scanned it and thought, ‘What in the world, something ain’t right,’” he said. “I hollered for my buddy who works at the store, and he said, ‘I knew it! Your time was coming!’”
He rushed home to tell Tammy, who said she initially thought something was wrong because he was shaking.
“I made him take me back to the store. I’ve got to see it for myself,” she said.
After confirming the result on the machine and taking a picture, the couple realized he had indeed won the $551,151 jackpot. The total included an additional $250,000 bonus on top of the advertised $301,151 prize.
The Milbys said they plan to invest the money, pay off bills, and take life at a slower pace.
“I’m a family man,” James said. “I just want to improve my family’s life. And whatever the good Lord puts on my heart to do, I’ll do.”
They kept the win quiet at first, even avoiding questions from their children. The couple planned to share the news after collecting $399,584.47 in winnings after taxes.
Despite the excitement, James said the “blessing sure came at a good time.”
Lottery officials said the odds of winning a prize like this are about 1 in 240,000.
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