News writer
Winning the lottery is a dream come true — but twice in one day? That’s exactly what happened to a couple in Ohio, who turned their lucky streak into a double dose of holiday cheer.
After months of playing their family birthdays in the Ohio Lottery’s Pick 5 draw game, Randy and Tanya Metzger scored not one but two winning tickets on the same day. With big plans for their winnings, the Metzgers are proving that sometimes lightning does strike twice.
Back-to-back wins
The Metzgers have been playing their birthdays in the lottery’s Pick 5 drawings for the past nine months. Good luck finally arrived for them during the December 3, 2024, evening Pick 5 drawing.
After the drawing took place, the couple noticed they hit for $417 on one ticket where they chose the $1 box option. The winning numbers for that draw were 9-4-7-5-1.
Randy told lottery officials, “I never look at the other ones. When I go and get them for the next day, I scan them.”
So, Randy had no clue what was about to happen when he stopped by Speedway #3187, located at 746 W. Harding Way in Galion. He just planned on turning in his one winning ticket, but he got some shocking news when he scanned the other one.
He told lottery officials, “It said, ‘$25,208.50’ and I go, ‘what?’ and then I looked and thought, ‘those are the same numbers.’”
The Metzgers matched the winning numbers for the Pick 5 midday drawing, which happened to be 7-5-3-6-0 for that December 3, 2024, drawing. While the couple used their birthdays for the other winner, this winning ticket was an auto pick and played as a backup.
Claiming their prize
The Ohio couple headed to lottery headquarters to collect their winnings. After the mandatory state and federal taxes totalling 28 percent were withheld from the $25,208.50, they took home approximately $18,150.12.
With their winnings, the couple told officials they were planning on paying off their car and then making Christmas merrier for several people who are in need.
Another holiday winner
With the holidays right around the corner, another Ohio Lottery player has reason to celebrate the season.
Michelle, the lucky winner, took home the top prize playing the $10 scratch-off game called Winter Fun. She purchased the winning ticket at Meijer Gas #189, located at 1961 W. Clinton St. in Defiance.
She recently made her way to lottery headquarters to claim her prize. After mandatory state and federal taxes totaling 28 percent, Michelle took home about $360,000.
After her big win, there are now two more top prizes of $500,000 remaining to be claimed in the Winter Fun game. In addition, there are two $100,000 prizes remaining in the game, as well as six $50,000 prizes and 12 $10,000 prizes available. The prizes for Winter Fun range from $10 up to the top prize of $500,000.
Enjoy playing the Ohio Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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