A Carrollton man who stopped for a lottery ticket after a day of chemotherapy appointments for his wife walked away with a $500,000 prize on the last Best of 7’s scratch-off ticket in the bin, according to the Ohio Lottery.
After state and federal taxes totaling 28%, the winner will receive $360,000.
“I still can’t believe it. I still think it’s a dream!” the man said.
He had taken his wife to cancer treatment appointments and stopped at Bellstore #146 in Malvern on the way home. He bought a couple of $5 tickets and noticed the last Best of 7’s ticket was available.
“I like the end of the roll,” he said. “I’ll buy in the middle too, but always liked the end of the roll best.”
When he scratched the ticket at home, he uncovered the $500,000 prize and rushed to tell his wife.
“She looked at me funny and said, ‘Did you fall?’ I said, ‘No, I’m in shock! I think I won half a million dollars!’” he said.
She didn’t believe him until he scanned the ticket using the Ohio Lottery mobile app.
The winner said the money is a “blessing in disguise” as the family faces mounting medical bills. He plans to pay them off and, once his wife is feeling better, hopes to use some of the winnings for something fun for the two of them.
Best of 7’s is a $10 game with a top prize of $500,000. As of Aug. 27, two top prizes remain.
