Man wins $825K Bucks Triple Play prize after thinking it was demo mode
Ruther Glen, VA – A Caroline County resident received a six-figure shock after playing the Virginia Lottery’s Bucks Triple Play online game and winning a massive $825,176 — a total so large he initially thought it wasn’t real.
Gregory Sanders, nearing retirement, had been playing the instant win game online when he hit the top prize. He briefly questioned whether the game had switched into demo mode, but quickly confirmed the win was legitimate and claimed his prize shortly after.
The winning play came through the Virginia Lottery’s online platform, which offers dozens of instant games alongside traditional draws like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Cash 5 with EZ Match. Sanders plans to use the unexpected windfall for personal health-related expenses.
Bucks Triple Play is a digital instant game featuring three separate games per ticket, each with different prize levels and odds. It is available to anyone physically located in Virginia who is at least 18 years old.
All profits from Virginia Lottery games are directed toward K-12 public education across the state. In Fiscal Year 2025, more than $901 million in lottery proceeds supported Virginia schools, representing roughly 10 percent of the state’s education budget. Caroline County, where Sanders resides, received nearly $4.5 million in funding from the Lottery in the last fiscal year.
The Virginia Lottery continues to expand access to its online games through its website and mobile app. The Lottery encourages all players to play responsibly.
Key Points
- Gregory Sanders of Ruther Glen won $825,176 playing the Virginia Lottery’s online Bucks Triple Play game.
- The win was claimed through the Virginia Lottery’s online platform and will go toward health-related expenses.
- All Lottery profits benefit K-12 education, with $901 million contributed statewide in the last fiscal year.
