$3 Scratch-Off Ticket Leads to $1.5 Million in Winnings for N.J. Couple on Their Way to Dinner
A married couple won $1.5 million in New Jersey after trying their luck in Win for Life! Scratch-Off game
After initially disagreeing on where to purchase the ticket, one of the spouses got a $10 ticket and a "couple" of $3 Win for Life tickets
The player selected the prize's annuity value, which guarantees a total of at least $1.5 million spread over 25 annual payments.
A couple in New Jersey had a day to remember when they earned $1.5 million from a lottery scratch-off ticket purchased on their way to dinner.
The New Jersey Lottery announced on Monday, June 2, that an Essex County Lottery player won "one of the three coveted top prizes exceeding $1 million in the Win for Life! Scratch-Off game."
The lucky player bought the winning ticket at Lucky 7 Deli, located at 397 Centre Street in Nutley, while dining out with their spouse.
One wanted to buy tickets in one town, but the other insisted on purchasing from a store they didn't typically visit, the news release said.
'Like they ever listen to me! So, I go in and get a $10 ticket and a couple of the $3 Win for Lifes," the player recalled.
According to the New Jersey Lottery's website, to win a prize from a 'Win for Life!' lottery scratch-off ticket, players must match any of their numbers to any of the winning numbers. The prize will be what is shown for the winning number.
Players can also reveal a '10X' symbol to win ten times the prize shown for that symbol. Other prizes include a free $3 ticket, which was what the winner initially thought would be revealed from their scratch-off.
"I'm in shock,' said the winner. "I scratched the ticket. I saw the prize. I thought it was going to say 'free ticket.' It just didn't click with me."
The news release states that the player selected the prize's annuity value, which guarantees a total of at least $1.5 million spread over 25 annual payments. The cash option would have been a single gross lump sum prize payment of $875,200, per the New Jersey Lottery's website.
The website states that after the winning ticket is verified, payments will be "issued annually in advance starting on or about the anniversary date of the claim and will continue for the life of the winner."
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'It was just so random. This really changes our lives. We're always stressed about bills. This makes life a lot easier," the winner said.
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