Virginia woman locks away $500k winning lottery ticket after stunning discovery
money

Virginia woman locks away $500K winning lottery ticket after stunning discovery

A routine stop at a convenience store turned into a $500,000 surprise, prompting one Virginia woman to lock away her winning ticket until she could claim the prize.

RICHMOND, Va. — A South Hill woman claimed a $500,000 top prize after purchasing a Virginia Lottery Instant Cash Scratch-Off ticket at a convenience store in Chase City.

The winning ticket was purchased at Country Boy’s Quick Stop, 13643 Highway 47 in Chase City.

The woman claimed the prize anonymously, as permitted under Virginia law.

“I had to look at the ticket three or four times before I believed it!” she told Virginia Lottery officials.

The winner said she kept the ticket in a lockbox over the weekend until she could visit a Virginia Lottery office to claim her prize.

She plans to use the winnings to buy land and build a small home for her family.

Instant Cash is one of the Virginia Lottery’s Scratch-Off games, offering top prizes of $500,000. Lottery officials said this is the first top prize claimed in the game, leaving two $500,000 top prizes still available.

The overall odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 816,000, while the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 5.25.


Key Points

  • A South Hill woman won a $500,000 top prize on a Virginia Lottery Instant Cash Scratch-Off.
  • She kept the winning ticket in a lockbox until she claimed the prize.
  • The ticket was purchased at Country Boy’s Quick Stop in Chase City.

Local News Report

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