Bedford County winner said he thought someone might need to call an ambulance after the shock set in
SAXTON BORO, Pa. — A retired U.S. Navy veteran from Bedford County said he was shaking, flushed, and struggling to believe what he was seeing after scratching off a Pennsylvania Lottery ticket that revealed a $1M top prize.
Pennsylvania Lottery officials presented a ceremonial check Thursday to 58-year-old Kenneth Bilger, known as JR, after he claimed the winning Triple Red 777 Scratch-Off ticket sold at Martin General Stores in Saxton Borough.
Bilger, who has lived in Pennsylvania since 2002, said his previous biggest lottery win was just $1,500, making the sudden seven-figure payday almost impossible to process.
“I was floored. It was a trip,” Bilger said in a statement released by lottery officials. “This is a lot more money than I’m accustomed to.”
According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, Bilger purchased several scratch-off tickets at Martin General Stores on May 9 before uncovering the $1 million top prize on his final ticket.
“I had to check the ticket three or four times,” he said. “I was shaking and flushed. A guy walking out thought he was going to have to call an ambulance for me.”
Bilger said he stepped outside to his truck in the parking lot to process the moment before returning inside to tell the store manager.
The retired veteran said his wife and older daughter initially did not believe the news when he called them.
Bilger officially claimed the prize at the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Clearfield office two days later.
Lottery officials said the Bedford County winner plans to use the money to help his wife retire, make upgrades to their home, and continue restoring old trucks, one of his longtime hobbies.
Martin General Stores, located at 533 Main St. in Saxton Borough, will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Pennsylvania Lottery officials noted that Triple Red 777 is a $30 scratch-off game featuring top prizes worth $1 million.
Key Points
- Retired Navy veteran Kenneth Bilger won a $1M Pennsylvania Lottery jackpot
- The winning Triple Red 777 ticket was sold in Bedford County
- Bilger said the shock of the win left him shaking inside the store