Cynthiana man wins $1 million from a $20 scratch-off

CYNTHIANA, Ky. (WTVQ) – One man in Cynthiana feels “magnificent” as his $20 Kentucky Lottery scratch-off ticket won him $1 million.

The winner, who wishes to stay anonymous, said, “I won $20 on a Max-A-Million ticket so I bought another one from the vending machine last Friday.  I scanned it without scratching it off, and it said, ‘Claim at Lottery,’ so I knew it had to be something.  Then I scanned it at the self-ticket checker, and I saw $1,000,000.  I went out to my car immediately and I was in tears,”

He continued by talking about how much of a blessing the prize is for he and his wife.

“It’s been a hard year for us with COVID. This money will be life-changing,” he said.

The Max-A-Million prize has a yearly payment top prize, but the winner decided to take the cash option. After taxes, he left the lottery headquarters on July 12 with a check for $595,177. The winner is planning to take care of debt, buy a house and is working with a financial advisor to save the rest of the money.

Cynthiana’s Apple Market #529 on East Pleasant Street will get $10,000 for selling the winning ticket.