$100 lottery win turns into $100k jackpot for virginia man
money big ID 32000234 © Taeya18 | Dreamstime.com

$100 lottery win turns into $100K jackpot for Virginia man

June 12, 2026
1 min read

A Stuarts Draft player used change from a winning ticket to buy another Scratcher and walked away with the game’s top prize

STUARTS DRAFT, Va. — A Virginia man turned a modest lottery win into a six-figure payday after using his change from one winning ticket to purchase another Scratcher that delivered a $100,000 top prize.

William Jackson of Stuarts Draft had already won $100 on a lottery ticket purchased at the Food Lion located at 2576 Stuarts Draft Highway. After cashing in the ticket, he used the winnings to buy groceries.

When the transaction was complete, Jackson received $5 in change and decided to spend it on a Cash Wheel Scratcher from a lottery vending machine before leaving the store.

That decision paid off immediately.

Jackson scratched the ticket while still at the store and quickly realized he was looking at something much bigger than another small win.

“I only got two hours of sleep last night,” Jackson told Virginia Lottery officials after claiming the prize.

The timing of the win carries added significance for Jackson and his wife, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this summer.

Lottery officials said the couple plans to consider the prize an early anniversary gift.

Cash Wheel is one of the Virginia Lottery’s Scratcher games and offers prizes ranging from $10 to a top prize of $100,000.

According to the Virginia Lottery, Jackson’s ticket represents the first top prize claimed in the game. Two additional $100,000 top prizes remain unclaimed.

The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 897,600, while the overall odds of winning any prize in the game are 1 in 5.02.

Virginia Lottery officials noted that profits from ticket sales support K-12 education throughout the Commonwealth.


Key Points

  • William Jackson won a $100,000 top prize playing the Virginia Lottery’s Cash Wheel Scratcher.
  • He purchased the winning ticket using $5 in change from an earlier $100 lottery win.
  • The Stuarts Draft resident said the prize will serve as an early 50th wedding anniversary gift
Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News