Man wins $2 million from Ohio Lottery

Jun 11, 2010, 11:06 am (17 comments)

Ohio Lottery

NEW CARLISLE, Ohio — 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.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Springfield News-Sun

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

WOW! What a Welcome Surprise! Thumbs Up

Best of Luck in Future Wins!

konane's avatarkonane

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Jun 11, 2010

WOW! What a Welcome Surprise! Thumbs Up

Best of Luck in Future Wins!

I Agree!   Congratulations to Mr. Hayes! WTG!  Sun Smiley

luckyshoes's avatarluckyshoes

How nice  to happen to you !   Congratulations

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Very cool. Congrats, to Mr. Hayes!

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Sounds like an ambush, he had no choice but to appear at the press conference.  Now everybody knows he won $2M.

I didn't realize they had drawings so long after tickets are purchased.

TheOtherOne's avatarTheOtherOne

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Jun 11, 2010

Sounds like an ambush, he had no choice but to appear at the press conference.  Now everybody knows he won $2M.

I didn't realize they had drawings so long after tickets are purchased.

I was thinking the same.

Would be ironic if he decided to sue them for not giving the opportunity to opt out of the media frenzy.

Congrats to him though, that is outstanding.

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Buy a ticket in january 2008 and win in june 2010? Now that's what I call a bolt of lightening on a blue sky day, totally unexpected.

victorl3ichiban's avatarvictorl3ichiban

I wish California do these kind of things but California is too cheap on Lotto game.

TonyZinc

He just win $690,000 ,not 2 million dollars.....

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by TonyZinc on Jun 11, 2010

He just win $690,000 ,not 2 million dollars.....

How are you figuring?  Are you saying he's in 70% tax bracket?

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

Hurray!Congratulations to him.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by victorl3ichiban on Jun 11, 2010

I wish California do these kind of things but California is too cheap on Lotto game.

The grass always look greener in another state.  When you have only one 5/5+0 winner in your MegaMillions and he gets more than $250K, players in other states think California looks greener.

diamondpalace's avatardiamondpalace

Congrats! Be wise bankrupt. Lol, that should be the lotto mantra "Be wise or bankrupt."

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Congrats to the winner !

I am hoping for some congrats to me !

My best to all on Lottery Post !

Waiting to go Green ...................... with money !

Stooges these guys said that they would help me with my investments !?!?!

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