Ohio Lottery: Man wins $2 million from Ohio Lottery

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Paul Hayes suspected something was up when the Ohio Lottery Commission asked him to come to their Dayton office but would not tell him why.

Hayes, a regular lottery player, had recently won $2,500 in a $20 scrach-off game called "$2 Million Anniversary."

As a scratch-off winner, his card was then automatically entered into a drawing for the game's top prize of $2 million.

So, Thursday, June 10, Hayes, 65, drove from his home in New Carlisle to the lottery commission's Dayton office. The lottery's promotions manager, Allison Turner, had a table set up for what appeared to be an interview. Local media was gathered to observe.

He was already rocking back and forth and smiling and nodding his head with approval when Turner gave him a check showing he had won the top prize.

He wasn't shocked, he said, but humbled by his good fortune.

"There was a reason that [Promotions Manager Allison Turner] called," Hayes said. "I really didn't know the drawing was coming until we received a letter a couple weeks ago."

Hayes purchased the scratch-off ticket from the Meijer store on Hillcrest Avenue in Springfield in January 2008. The game Hayes won made him eligible for the top prize drawing of $2 million.

Hayes said he doesn't have any plans for the money right now but still plans to play the lottery.

"I think I'd be foolish not to," he said.

Hayes has the option of taking a one-time payment of $690,000 after taxes or annual payments over 26 years.

(Click to display full-size in gallery)Paul Hayes, 65, of New Carlisle, received a check for $2 million Thursday, June 11, from the Ohio Lottery Commission.  Hayes won the "$2 Million Anniversary" scratch-off ticket, which he purchased in 2008.  He won $2,500 on the ticket, then was re-entered for the grand prize drawing.