LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Jefferson County woman turned a $1 online play into more than $260,000 after hitting a jackpot on the Kentucky Lottery’s "Elephant King Jackpots" instant game, according to lottery officials.
Cynthia Bader said the win came during a casual late-night session on the Kentucky Lottery app when she nearly chose a different game before settling on the elephant-themed option.
"I like elephants," she said. "For whatever reason I thought, 'I’m going to do elephants tonight.'"
Bader said she was playing for fun and had set a personal stopping point, planning to quit once her balance dropped to just a few cents.
"When I hit 'spin,' my phone went completely blank," she said. "Then it started shaking, and all of a sudden 'MEGA' popped up. And right under it was my elephant. I yelled so loud!"
She said she first learned about the app through a friend and typically plays casually from home.
After realizing she had won $261,431.85, Bader said her thoughts quickly turned to a long-held family goal of traveling the country again. The family previously completed a multi-state road trip during the pandemic.
She said she plans to set aside part of the winnings for savings and is now considering buying an RV to recreate that experience.
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