‘It won’t change a thing.’ Couple wins $1M on KY Lottery ticket purchased in Alexandria

A couple cashed in a top Kentucky Lottery prize of $1 million Wednesday, walking away with just over $600,000 in cash.

The prize was a part of the $20 million Mega Millionaire scratch-off, according to a Wednesday news release from Kentucky Lottery.

Michael and Sheila Allen won the prize after Michael bought a ticket from a Speedway in Alexandria, Ky.

“I stopped at a couple of places. At the first one, I bought a couple of Scratch-offs but didn’t win. Then I stopped in Speedway in Alexandria and bought the ticket,” he told Kentucky Lottery officials. “I usually just scratch the bottom and then scan them to see if I’ve won.”

When he want to scan it, the message that popped up on the register told him to visit the Kentucky Lottery Corp. to redeem, a message displayed when the prize is too large to be distributed by a retailer.

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After seeing his prize, the release said Michael called his wife right away, who didn’t initially believe he won.

“He’s always joking around so I thought for sure it wasn’t true,” Sheila told lottery officials. “But then he got home and showed me. I said, ‘Oh my God.’ I was so shocked, I couldn’t sleep.”

The couple walked away with $622,765 after taxes.

“It won’t change a thing,” Michael said of his winnings. “We’ll still work, and life will stay the same.”

The Speedway that sold the ticket will receive $10,000, according to the lottery release.

If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, help is available at 1-800-522-4700.

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