Unexpected workday turns into $1 million Scratchers win

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When a Missouri Lottery player got called into work last week, he had no idea the change in plans would help him end the day with a $1 million Scratchers prize.

He stopped at Casey’s, 621 N. King’s Highway in Perryville, to get gas as he went in.

“They called me in because they needed some help,” he explained. “And I had to stop to put gas in the car. So, I picked up one of those tickets.”

Once he got to work, he put the “500X” Scratchers ticket on his desk and came back to scratch it later.

He called his wife and had her come to verify that he was looking at a $1 million prize.

“Once I saw it, I was just like, ‘Wait a minute!” his wife said.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he added. “Until I got to the [lottery] office, I wasn’t even sure if it was real!”

Note that winners can request written consent on a form provided by the Missouri Lottery Commission to have their name, address and other identifiable information disclosed to the public. Otherwise, they remain anonymous.

“500X” players have won more than $147.7 million in prizes since the $50 game was released. More than $109.8 million remain in unclaimed prizes, including 21 prizes of $50,000, another $1 million prize and one top prize of $5 million.

In fiscal year 2024, players in Perry County won more than $4.5 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, retailers received more than $434,000 in commissions and bonuses, and more than $75,000 in lottery proceeds went to education programs in the county.