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Nine inspiring stories of lottery luck from Kentucky

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

These articles highlight how Kentucky residents experienced sudden changes in their lives after winning lottery games. Chance and timing played key roles in each story.

A mother and son from Georgetown claimed a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot after purchasing a $2 ticket at a local gas station. One Eastern Kentucky man became the first in the state to win an online Mega Money Jackpot, taking home over $800,000.

Braiden Hutton, of Corbin, poses with his winnings at Kentucky Lottery headquarters.

NO. 1: EASTERN KY MAN SCANS LOTTERY TICKET 5 TIMES JUST TO BE SURE OF HIS 6-FIGURE WIN

His win shocked his family, including his mother who had to see it for herself. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

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NO. 2: EASTERN KY MAN BECOMES FIRST IN STATE TO WIN MEGA MONEY JACKPOT. IT’S A RECORD PRIZE

The win made him emotional. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Theresa Sons, of Jeffersonville, Ky., poses with her big check recently at Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville after winning $50,000 on a scratch-off ticket game.

NO. 3: EASTERN KENTUCKY WOMAN BUYS LOTTERY TICKET NEAR THE END OF THE ROLL. IT WAS A BIG WINNER

The winning ticket was the second to last on the roll at the convenience store. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The federal government tracks awards like grants, loans and contracts in communities across the United States. Here’s what those grants fund in Horry County, South Carolina.

NO. 4: AFTER 12 YEARS PLAYING LOTTERY GAME, KENTUCKY MAN WINS $25K A YEAR FOR LIFE PRIZE

A Lexington man won the same second-place prize in November. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jackie Starkey

Jeremy Owen and wife Chelsea Hanson pose with their Kentucky Lottery winnings.

NO. 5: KENTUCKY MAN’S WIFE URGED HIM TO PLAY UNIQUE LOTTERY CROSSWORD GAME. THEN HE WON BIG

The man told lottery officials he doesn’t normally like the crossword games. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Alguien compró en Vero Beach un raspadito que ganó $1,000,000 y que aún no ha reclamado.

NO. 6: KY MAN OCCASIONALLY WINS GAS MONEY PLAYING LOTTERY. THIS TIME IT WAS A MUCH LARGER PRIZE

He told lottery officials he has sometimes won $100 or $200, but never millions. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jackie Starkey

Linda Grizzle and her son, Shannon Farthing, have the choice to receive their prize in graduated annual payments or in a lump cash sum.

NO. 7: CENTRAL KENTUCKY MOTHER, SON DUO CLAIMS STATE’S $167.3M POWERBALL JACKPOT WIN

“This is going to pay off my debt,” on of the winners told the Kentucky Lottery. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

Winner Braxton Skaggs poses with a big check May 30 at Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville after winning $30,000 on an online game.

NO. 8: KENTUCKY MAN BET $5 ON A LUNCH BREAK LOTTERY GAME. IT WON HIM A 5-FIGURE PRIZE

His lunch break betting paid off. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

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NO. 9: KENTUCKY MAN SWITCHES OUT $10 LOTTERY TICKET ROUTINE FOR $20 GAME. HE WON BIG

After winning more than $1 million playing a Kentucky Lottery scratch-off game, a London couple plans to pay off their home and car, possibly retire and give back to their community. | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.