Henderson County man’s scratch-off habit finally pays off with $1 million win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Henderson County man became an instant millionaire after years of playing scratch-offs regularly.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, made a stop at Ideal Mart on South Green Street last month in Henderson. While he was there, he bought a $30, $1,000,000 Casino Nights ticket.

While he was scratching off each line, he revealed three crown symbols in a row, indicating that he was the $1 million top prize.

“I was kind of in shock, and I got out of there,” he said to Kentucky Lottery officials.

He went back to the store later and scanned the ticket, confirming the prize amount. He still couldn't believe it.

The man called his significant other after confirming he had really won the $1 million prize, but she didn't believe him at first.

"He’s a jokester,” she said. "I asked him, ‘how are you so calm?’ It just didn’t make sense to me."

The couple drove to the lottery headquarters in Louisville and shared that just a week earlier he said, "You would think with as many of these that I've bought just one time I would hit something big."

The lucky winner took the lump sum payment of $700,000 rather than the option of receiving $50,000 a year for 20 years. After taxes, he received a check for $504,000.

The couple said they plan to save the winnings and continue living the way they have been, mentioning that they now have a sense of security for any future emergencies.

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