A Kentucky man who won $1.5 million on a scratch-off ticket admitted the life-changing prize left him feeling anxious and overwhelmed. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, bought a $20 Wild Cash 200X ticket from a vending machine — even though he usually sticks to $10 tickets at the counter. On the first line of numbers, he hit the top prize.
Checked His Ticket 50 Times
The man recalled matching the “21” in the play area with the winning “21” above, realizing he had just won $1.5 million. “I double-checked the ticket fifty times to make sure my eyes weren’t bad!” he said in an interview with the Kentucky Lottery.
Instead of celebrating right away, the winner admitted the ticket made him a “nervous wreck.” He worried constantly about keeping it safe, asking himself, “What if the house burns down? What if I put it in my pocket and rub the numbers off? What if my truck gets stolen?” He remained on edge until he cashed it in days later in Louisville.
Taking the Lump Sum
The winner and his wife had two payout options: $75,000 annually for 20 years, or a lump sum of $1,025,000. They chose the lump sum, receiving $738,000 after taxes.
The man joked that at least he no longer had to worry about his next electric bill. He and his wife plan to pay off their house and car, continuing to live modestly. Retirement is on the table, but he also wants to give back. “I promised the Lord that if I ever won big, that I would help the elderly and children,” he said.
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