London couple wins $1.5 million on scratch-off ticket, plans random act of kindness

LONDON, Ky. – One London, Kentucky couple is celebrating a life-changing win on a Kentucky Lottery Scratch-off ticket.

According to the Kentucky Lottery, the couple, who wishes to remain anonymous, won $1.5 million playing a $20 Wild Cash 200X.

The husband, who lottery officials say is a longtime lottery player, bought the winning ticket from a Kentucky Lottery vending machine.

After scratching off the first row of numbers, the husband thought he might be mistaken. He said he checked the ticket “50 times” just to be sure. Lottery officials say he ultimately matched the number 21 on the ticket, winning the top $1.5 million prize.

Officials say the man told them he was a nervous wreck finding a safe place to keep the ticket until they made the trip to Louisville to claim the prize.

“What if the house burns down?” he asked jokingly, “What if I put it in my pocket and rub the numbers off? What if my truck gets stolen?”

The couple chose to take the $1,025,000 lump sum payment rather than annuity payments of $75,000 a year for 20 years. They took home $738,000 after taxes.

The ticket was sold at Git N Go on 855 E. Laurel Road in London. Git N Go will receive $10,250 for selling the winning ticket.

The couple is excited to begin a new chapter of their life with less worries about money, officials say.

They plan to use the funds to pay off their home and car and consider retirement.

Most of all, officials say, the couple wants to give back to the London community.

“I promised the Lord that if I ever won big, that I would [help] the elderly and children,” the man said. Lottery official say he wants to do things like pay for an elderly couple’s dinner or buy a toy for a child in a store.

“We’re actually going to just live how we’ve been living,” he added, “but with the ability to help others.”