One midnight scratch-off gave him a wild welcome to adulthood
LEWIS CENTER, OH – Austin had barely turned 18 when a just-after-midnight gas station run turned into a birthday he won’t forget, with the Lewis Center teen buying the first lottery ticket of his life and scratching his way to a $10,000 prize.
Austin turned 18 on Aug. 6 and headed to a gas station with a friend shortly after midnight, according to the Ohio Lottery.
Now legally old enough to play, he decided to buy a scratch-off for the first time.
First lottery ticket delivers instant surprise
Austin told the Lottery he bought the ticket partly as a joke.
He initially tried to purchase a different ticket but had not inserted enough money. Instead, he chose the first $20 ticket that caught his attention.
That ticket was a $300 Million Diamond Dazzler.
It turned out to be worth $10,000.
Austin’s friend, who is a year older and had previously played the Lottery, summed up the unlikely introduction to adulthood by telling him this was not how adult life normally worked.
$10K arrives at perfect time
After mandatory state and federal tax withholding totaling 26.75%, Austin will receive $7,325, according to the Ohio Lottery.
The timing could prove useful.
Austin, who plans to become a firefighter and also pursue MMA fighting, told Lottery officials that his 2004 truck has more than 300,000 miles and recently began having problems.
He plans to use his winnings toward another vehicle.
Winning ticket came from Columbus Sheetz
The winning ticket was purchased at Sheetz #725, located at 1555 Polaris Parkway in Columbus.
The $300 Million Diamond Dazzler costs $20 and carries overall odds of winning any prize of 1 in 3.33.
As of Friday, five of the game’s top prizes of $80,000 a year for 25 years remained, according to the Ohio Lottery.
Key Points
- Austin of Lewis Center bought his first Ohio Lottery ticket just after turning 18 and won $10,000.
- The $20 $300 Million Diamond Dazzler ticket was purchased at Sheetz #725 on Polaris Parkway in Columbus.
- Austin will receive $7,325 after mandatory withholding and plans to put the money toward replacing his high-mileage truck.
