Va. woman showing friend how to play lotto game wins $1M
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- Merry Thomas had just finished work when she took her friend Julie to a food store nearby in Fredericksburg.
There she showed Julie how to work a Virginia Lottery self-service machine and scan the ticket to see if it was a winner -- and it was, reports CBS affiliate WTVR.
Julie’s ticket won $12 and Merry’s ticket won $1 million, according to Virginia Lottery officials.
“Right in front of my eyes I saw this woman turn into a puddle,” Julie said.
“I’ve been freaking out since then!” Merry said as she claimed her big check.
WTVR reports that by winning a top prize in the 20x Money game, Merry could take the full $1 million prize over 30 years or a one-time cash payment of $630,915 before taxes.
She took the lump sum.
“I just feel so fortunate,” she said. “It’s unbelievable!”