‘I had to ask my kids to check again,’ says lottery winner who won $250,000 months after winning $50,000 in another game

A lucky player has won twice after taking home more than quadruple her first big prize.

Sherri Fowler of Washington D.C. won $250,000 on a scratch-off ticket – her second big prize in four months.

Previously, she won one of the two top prizes of $50,000 on a Win it All scratch-off ticket purchased at a liquor store.

After her first win, she told DC Lottery that it was her brother who inspired her to play.

“I would buy him tickets and he would win. So I decided to buy some for myself – and I won too!” Fowler said.

For her first play, she paid just $5 for a ticket.

The odds of her winning the top prize in the Win it All game were 1 in 122,100, and although low, it appears these were her lucky odds.

The second time, she went to a Chevron near the liquor store and bought a Nothing But Cash scratch-off ticket.

Adding to the risk, Fowler paid $20 for the ticket and it was worth it.

Right there in the store, she crossed out her second winning ticket and couldn’t believe her luck.

“I was in the store and I started screaming. I couldn’t believe it,” Fowler told DC Lottery.

Again, at odds of 1 in 122,055, she won one of the two main prizes offered in the game.

She turned to the people who were with her to make sure she wasn’t seeing things.

“I had to ask my kids to double-check,” Fowler said.

After her last win, she was ready, knowing exactly what she would do with the money.

“I’m going to buy a car this time,” she said clearly.

I was in the store and I started screaming. I couldn’t believe it.”

Sherri Fowler

While it’s still a large sum, Fowler won’t be taking home all $250,000.

At a rate of 8.5% for local taxes and 24% taken out by the federal government, she will have about $81,259 withheld from her premium.

But the take-home check of approximately $168,750 will still be more than enough for the new vehicle Fowler has on the market.

LESS THAN EXPECTED

Fowler is just one in a long list of winners who end up taking home much less than expected.

John Stanhill, 46, got lucky in the 500X The Cash game, winning a prize of $1 million.

“This simply couldn’t have happened at a better time!” John told the Florida Lottery.

“I’m still freaking out.”

The new dad was excited to have a financial cushion before his family began growing.

“We won the lottery – and then we won the lottery again with our beautiful, healthy boy!” he said.

He ended up taking home about two-thirds of what was expected after taxes, a total of $640,000.

Top US Lottery Winners

Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.

• Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, November 8, 2022, in California.
• Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, October 11, 2023, California.
• Unknown Winner – $1.602 Billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023, Florida.
• Marvin and Mae Acosta of Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016.
• Unknown Winner – $1.537 Billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
• Winner unknown – he sued his child’s mother to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, January 13, 2023, from Maine.
• Unknown Winner – $1.337 Billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
• Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
• Yanira Álvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
• Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 Billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021, from Michigan.
• Winner unknown – $842.4 million Powerball, January 1, 2024, from Michigan.