News writer, Interviewer
A South-Central Kentucky woman claimed a $5 million prize after scratching a lottery ticket on her birthday, setting a new record for the largest scratch-off win in Kentucky Lottery history.
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased the $50 $5,000,000 Fortune ticket at Grand Mart in Tompkinsville. She scratched the ticket in her car and matched number 46 on the second-to-last row, revealing the top prize.
"I was shocked! I didn't know what to think," she told lottery officials.
Moment of discovery
Seeking confirmation, she returned to the store to have the ticket scanned. The clerk's reaction validated her life-changing win. She recalled:
He just looked at me and told me it was a winner. We were both shocked.
When she rushed home to share the news with her fiancé, her excitement was unmistakable. Her fiancé said:
She was shaking. She was torn up. I thought she was pulling my leg at first. I was really excited for her.
Financial implications
Rather than receiving $250,000 annually for 20 years, the winner opted for the lump sum payment of $3.4 million. After taxes, she took home $2,448,000.
As she looked at her winner's check with tears streaming down her face, she expressed disbelief at the magnitude of her win.
"We don't see money like this. I'm still in shock, and it just doesn't seem real."
Looking ahead
The couple plans to purchase a new home with their windfall. "This birthday is going to be hard to beat," the winner added.
The Grand Mart store in Tompkinsville will receive $34,000 for selling the winning ticket.
About the game
The $5,000,000 Fortune ticket launched in October 2024 as the largest scratch-off prize ever offered to Kentucky Lottery players. There remains one more $5 million top prize and eleven $50,000 prizes still available.
This game is one of dozens of scratch-off games that the Kentucky Lottery offers.
$5,000,000 Fortune does not have an end date, and the last day to purchase tickets is still to be determined, as is the final date to claim prizes. Players can purchase tickets for $50 each with a chance to win up to $5,000,000. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 2.77.
Is this lucky winner someone you know? What would you do with a $5 million lottery win?
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