After many jokes about winning, man snags $200K scratch-off ticket in Nicholasville

A daily Kentucky Lottery player won $200,000 after purchasing a ticket during breakfast Tuesday in Nicholasville.

The man, who told lottery officials he wanted to stay anonymous, bought a Money Bag Multiplier scratch-off ticket for $10. When he saw the winning numbers, he couldn’t believe he won.

“I looked at [the ticket] three or four times and thought, ‘That can’t be $200,000,’” he told lottery officials.

He showed the ticket to his boss later that day, just to be sure.

“He said to me, ‘you just won $200,000,’” the man said.

The winner then texted his daughter, who didn’t believe him because he joked constantly about winning the lottery. Only this time, he wasn’t joking.

The odds of winning any prize on the game are 1 in 3.26, but most prizes are between $10 and $100.

The man received $143,000 from Kentucky Lottery after taxes. He said he plans to use it for bills and paying off his house.

Prime Star 7 on South Main Street in Nicholasville will get $2,000 for selling the winning ticket.

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

Do you have a question about the lottery in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.

Lindsay Smith

The Wichita Eagle

Lindsay Smith is a suburban news reporter for the Wichita Eagle, covering the communities of Andover, Bel Aire, Derby, Haysville and Kechi. She has been on The Eagle staff since 2022 and was the service journalism reporter for three years. She has a degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from Wichita State, where she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Sunflower, for two years. You can reach her via email at lsmith@wichitaeagle.com.