Several Ohio Lottery players recently claimed significant prizes playing the VIP Millions scratch-off game, according to an announcement made Friday by lottery officials.
The largest prize was won by a player in Canal Winchester, who purchased the ticket at In N Out Smoke Shop and Carryout. The winner, whose name was not released, revealed a $1 million top prize and said he had to contain his excitement while still inside the store.
“I was like, ‘oh my goodness,’” he told lottery officials. After stepping outside, he said he went to his car to confirm the win. “I scanned it again to see if that was the case and it ended up being a good amount and I went, ‘wow.’”
The winner chose to take the lump-sum cash option instead of the annuity, which pays $40,000 annually for 25 years. After taxes, the final payout will be approximately $360,000.
Another VIP Millions player in Northeast Ohio also hit it big with a $50,000 prize. That ticket was sold at Bowman Beverage in Wooster, and after taxes, the winner will receive roughly $36,000.
Two additional players, both in the Cincinnati area, won $20,000 each from the same game. Those tickets were purchased in Amelia and Fayetteville.
As of March 21, the Ohio Lottery reports that 41 top prizes remain available in the VIP Millions game.