Kentucky man takes his mind off loss with lottery ticket purchase — and wins grand prize
A Louisville man credits his late mother for a recent win on the state’s exclusive lottery game Kentucky 225.
In a Friday release, the Kentucky Lottery said the man, who asked to remain unnamed, returned from visiting his mother prior to her death when his wife suggested they purchase lottery tickets.
He awoke at 4 a.m. the next day and decided to check his tickets over his morning coffee. He was in luck — he had matched all five numbers on one ticket in the March 25 Kentucky 225 drawing, along with two numbers on another ticket.
The straight match earned him the game’s top $225,000 prize, while the two numbers on the other ticket fetched him $2.
Cash ball 225 is a daily drawing offering prizes ranging from $5 to $225,000. Players are challenged to select four white balls numbered one to 35 and a Cash Ball, numbered one to 25. Each play costs $1, and there is a $1 EZmatch add-on available.
The winning numbers in the March 25 drawing were 1, 9, 18, 22 and Cash Ball 5, and the odds on the grand prize win are 1 in 1.3 million.
“I checked it at least five times. It’s really strange,” he told lottery officials after driving the Louisville headquarters the same day to claim his prize.
After taxes, he was issued a check for $162,001.44.
“Everything happened so fast,” he continued. “I got a call, flew out to see my mom before she passed, we had the funeral and then I got back, and then this happened.”
The man told lottery officials he hadn’t told anyone of his win, but as he had recently paid for funeral arrangements, the money was welcome.
“She’s taking care of me,” he said.
The Thorntons where the man bought his tickets will get a $2,250 prize.
The Jefferson County man is not the only grand prize Cash Ball 225 winner this year. In January, a Winchester woman also won $225,000 on the game.
If you or someone you know has a problem gambling, help is available at 1-800-522-4700.
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