Tax Day lottery ticket leads to a large prize for one Kentucky woman
Tax Day led to more money than Vicky Barnes, of Shepherdsville, expected after she scratched off a lottery ticket that won her $150,000.
Vicky had purchased a $10 King Crossword scratch-off ticket a week prior at Bullitt County Supermarket in Shepherdsville. When she scratched off the first $75,000 win April 15, her first call was to her husband, Jamie.
“I’m like, I’ve won like really big on the lottery. While I was talking to him, I scratched off the second bonus. Holy crap, I just won another $60,000!,” Vicky told Kentucky Lottery officials.
Jamie didn’t believe her at first, asking her if she was sure.
“I read the instructions and saw the max prize was one fifty,” Jamie said. “I texted her back and told her, ‘I don’t think you won one thirty-five. You’re going to win one fifty or you’ve read it wrong and didn’t win anything.’”
“It took her an hour for her to scratch it off,” Jamie said.
This is the first top prize given out for the King Crossword game, which was released in February. The overall odds of winning a prize through the game are 1 in 2.62, with prizes starting at $10 and going up to the $150,000 top prize. There’s only one top prize left as of Thursday.
Jamie wasn’t sure the win was real until he scanned the ticket on his phone. Still, Vicky told officials the big win hasn’t sunk in.
“I was confident that ticket was a winner but I’m still not sure it’s totally hit me yet,” Vicky said.
The couple took home a $108,000 check after taxes. They plan to use the money to buy a car and renovate their home.
“It makes life easier,” Jamie said.
Bullitt County Supermarket will get $1,500 for selling the winning ticket.
In other recent Kentucky Lottery wins, a Nelson County woman won a $50,000 prize on a different scratch-off game. Her winnings will help her with a new home build.
If you or someone you know has a problem gambling, help is available at 1-800-522-4700.
Do you have a question about the Kentucky Lottery for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear form you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
