Lottery Player Wins $15 Million on Scratch Card But Lost $9.6 Million Just for Answering a Common Question

A LUCKY lottery player from Ohio won millions with a $50 scratch-off ticket.

However, she lost more than half of the prize money because of her answer to a simple question.

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A woman from Sandusky, Ohio — about 50 miles from Cleveland — won big after purchasing a $50 Ohio Lottery 50th Anniversary scratch-off ticket.

Identified by state lottery officials only as Jeanne, the Ohio woman didn’t expect to win.

“I crossed it out and none of the numbers matched because I didn’t cross out all the numbers. I’ve scratched maybe 10 or 12 and I usually know if it’s a winner or not. So nothing matched, and I scanned it and said, ‘Winner, see the clerk,’” Jeanne said.

The lottery player returned to the Sandusky Friendship gas station on Hayes Avenue, where she made her initial purchase and was greeted by a stunned employee.

The gas station employee almost “fell to the ground” after scanning the ticket of Jeanne, who earned US$600,000 a year for 25 years.

Jeanne said she and the clerk cried and other people in line looked at her like she had lost her mind.

“I was speechless,” Jeanne said. “What I kept thinking is that I’m just going to wake up. It’s not real,” she said.

Just a few months earlier, the Ohio player had won the big prize in another lottery game.

Jeanne was one of 150 players who won $3,500 and two tickets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland as part of the Ohio Lottery’s Fun Turns 50 Second Chance promotion in February of this year.

She attributed her winnings to her father’s luck.

“My father always told me, ‘If it weren’t for bad luck, Jeanne, you wouldn’t have any luck,’” she said.

“And it’s true. The number he got was my father’s, the year he was born, 28. That meant a lot to me.

“He’s been gone for a long time, but I think he had the last laugh.”

LOTTERY LOSSES

Despite earning $600,000 a year for 25 years, or $15 million, Jeanne was unable to walk away with all of the money.

She opted for a lump sum of $7.5 million rather than the annuity option, according to the Ohio Lottery.

Lottery winnings: lump sum or annual fee?

Players who win big on lottery tickets often have a choice to make: lump sum or annual fee?

Both payment methods can affect how much money you receive from your prize.

Annuities are paid slowly in increments, usually over 30 years.

Lump sums are paid all at once, but in smaller amounts since taxes are withheld all at once. This means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam immediately. Many states also tax earnings.

Annuities can give winners time to create the financial infrastructure needed to receive a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the advantage of being taxed only once.

It’s also worth considering inflation when making a choice, as payments don’t adjust to the value of a dollar. This means you will likely receive less valuable money at the end of an annuity.

Each state and game pays prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Experts have differing opinions on the possibility of get the lump sum or take the annual fee.

After state and federal taxes totaling 28%, Jeanne took home $5.4 million.

Jeanne plans to use her newfound millions to pay off her best friend’s mortgage since she has lived with her for the past two years.

The winner also plans to buy a home in Florida.

In related news, lottery officials warn players to check their tickets for a new unclaimed $50,000 Powerball prize.

Additionally, a lottery player won $1,000,000 on a $20 scratch-off ticket, but suffered a tragic loss just two weeks later.