Latest news with #NicoleWalter
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Breast cancer surviving grandma, 42, hits historic $2M jackpot on online Monopoly game in Pa.
A Pennsylvania breast cancer survivor and grandmother scored a more than $2 million jackpot playing online Monopoly – the largest payout the state has ever awarded for the game. Nicole Walter – a 42-year-old with 10 grandkids – was playing Monopoly Progressive Jackpots on her cellphone when a routine session with her fiancé turned into a life-changing moment, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery. 'I was playing PA Lottery games on my phone, and he was playing on his phone, and he said, 'Hey, I like the Monopoly one, let's try it,'' Walter said. Advertisement Nicole Walter holding a $2,021,096 Pennsylvania Lottery winner's check with her fiancé Steve Haight. Pennsylvania Lottery 'Then my screen went blank and popped up $2 million. I was shocked — I didn't even say anything at first.' The Warren County victor, fresh off radiation treatment for her 2023 cancer diagnosis, won a total of $2,021,096.49 from the subscription-based digital draw, officials said. Advertisement Walter, who also survived a heart attack, said she's been playing the Pennsylvania Lottery since it launched its arsenal of online games in 2018 due to its convenience. 'We enjoy it – and this time, it really paid off,' the lucky winner added. Walter said she's been playing the Pennsylvania Lottery since it launched online in 2018. Getty Images With a love for her big family and a passion for race cars, Walter is eager to invest her winnings in creating lasting memories with her loved ones. Advertisement Though her first priority is to use her massive haul to renovate her beloved farmhouse, a sentimental property a 'really good friend' sold to her. 'Nicole's incredible story reminds us that life can change in an instant, and we're honored to be part of such meaningful moments for our players across Warren County and beyond,' Drew Svitko, Pennsylvania's Lottery Executive Director, said in a statement. 'We're also proud of the work we do every day that benefits older Pennsylvanians through vital life-sustaining programs.' Officials said the games have generated more than $500 million for programs benefiting programs for seniors.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Grandma and breast cancer survivor decided to play the lottery on her phone. Then she hit it big
A grandmother of 10 from Pennsylvania who overcame breast cancer has had a huge turnaround in fortunes after winning a record-breaking state lottery prize. Nicole Walter, 42, received a commemorative check for $2,021,096.49 on Wednesday at the Lottery Area Office in Erie. Walter said she was playing lottery games on her phone alongside her boyfriend when she struck it big. 'I was playing PA Lottery games on my phone, and he was playing on his phone, and he said, 'Hey, I like the Monopoly one, let's try it,'' Walter said in a news release about the August win. 'Then my screen went blank and popped up $2 million. I was shocked — I didn't even say anything at first.' Walter's win comes after a year of major personal challenges. A breast cancer survivor, she was diagnosed in 2023 and recently completed radiation treatment. She also overcame a heart attack. Now, she says, her focus is on healing and planning for the future. Walter plans to use her winnings to renovate her farmhouse, a property she bought from a close friend and holds dear. 'It was sold to us by a really good friend,' she said. 'It's special to me, and I want to make it even better.' Walter has been playing the Pennsylvania Lottery online since it launched in 2018. She says she enjoys the convenience of mobile play and it has paid off in a way she could have never imagined. Outside of lottery games, she's passionate about race cars, and even used to drive them. Lottery officials said Walter's win is another reminder of the impact the games have statewide. 'We are thrilled to award this prize to Nicole Walter,' said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. 'This is a reminder that every day the Pennsylvania Lottery is awarding life-changing prizes to Pennsylvanians throughout the Commonwealth.' Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko added: 'Nicole's incredible story reminds us that life can change in an instant. We're honored to be part of such meaningful moments for our players.' Monopoly Progressive Jackpots is a connect-style game with shared progressive jackpots across multiple states. Pennsylvania launched its online lottery games in May 2018, generating more than $500 million in profit for programs that benefit older residents.
