$1M scratch-off winner celebrates instant win inside store
LYNCHBURG, Va. — A Virginia Lottery player didn’t have to wait long to celebrate after scratching a $1 million winning ticket right inside a convenience store.
The anonymous winner purchased the ticket at a 7-Eleven on Timberlake Road in Lynchburg and scratched it on the spot.
As soon as he revealed the winning symbols, he realized what had happened.
According to lottery officials, the man immediately recognized the win and knew he had just landed a life-changing prize.
The ticket came from the “In the Money” scratch-off game, which offers prizes ranging from $50 up to $1 million.
The winner chose to take the one-time cash option of $476,000 before taxes instead of receiving payments over 30 years.
Lottery officials said the Lynchburg store that sold the winning ticket will receive a $10,000 bonus.
This marks the first top prize claimed in the game, with two $1 million prizes still remaining.
The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 408,000, while overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.5.
The winner told officials he plans to use the money to buy a pool and a hot tub.
Key Points
- $1 million scratch-off ticket sold in Lynchburg
- Winner scratched ticket inside store and realized instantly
- Ticket purchased at 7-Eleven on Timberlake Road