Will split $61 million prize
Includes video report
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bettina Still of Bellevue has been a faithful player of the Tennessee Lottery since it started with a simple belief that she could someday win.
But Still, 69, and family members needed more than a double-take after realizing her Mega Millions ticket was worth up to $61 million.
"Like it's unreal, really it's unreal," Still said Friday at the Tennessee Lottery office claiming their prize. "I don't know how I feel."
Still, a retired worker with the state of Tennessee, and her son Jonathan have played lottery games together for years and will split the winnings.
They chose the lump sum payout of approximately $24.5 million after taxes instead of receiving the amount by installments, lottery officials said.
The ticket was purchased at the Bellevue Shell on Old Harding Pike for $1 and matched the game's six numbers drawn Jan. 3. The Stills' buy tickets at several Bellevue locations.
"I am truly grateful for this blessing," Bettina Still said in a statement. "I have played the lottery since it first arrived in Tennessee and have always believed that I could win. As I keep telling my friends, you can't win if you don't play. Knowing you can win is one of the biggest thrills in the world. It's part of the fun of playing."
"But honestly, when I realized Id'd actually won, I was astonished and nearly fainted ... just absolutely astonished."
Still and her son waited nearly a week to claim their prize so they could consider their options and consult with a financial adviser.
The Stills are Tennessee's first winner of Mega Millions, which became part of the Tennessee Lottery in January 2010.
The Tennessee Lottery will celebrate its 10-year anniversary Jan. 20. Tennessee Lottery President and CEO Rebecca Hargrove believed the Stills' win could help spur on sales.
"When people see people do win, it does increase excitement," Tennessee Lottery spokeswoman Kym Gerlock said.
VIDEO: Watch the press conference
Thanks to rdgrnr for the tip.
Congrats to the lucky winners and t only took $1 to win.
I am so glad to see them win, I think they will retire comfortably now.
TIRED of the $1 win story
Goes to show with a buck and some luck anyone can win!!.....Congrats to the lucky winners
I agree.
However it would seem that they each contributed 50 cents toward the winning Ticket. That's a great returns on their investment.
Congratulations to both.
Me too, Smooth.
Anyone except me for god's sake!!!
$1.00 and Quick pick is when most Winners are made
Congrats Mrs Bettina Still & momma's boy
The winner and her son actually bought several tickets at numerous locations in the Bellevue area. The winning ticket did in fact cost them $1.00 but they spent quite a bit more on the drawing.
Lottery officials love to give the impression that it only took a dollar and a dream to win.
The Shell station that the winning ticket was sold at is less than 5 miles from our TN home so the good news got plenty of attention from our friends and neighbors. The clerks at the gas station stated that Mrs Still and her son were regulars who played different lottery games religiously.
Glad to hear they finally got lucky.
The Tennessee Lottery President seemed a little curt with the media.
EXACTLY!! The same thing happened in Florida with Gloria Mackenzie, the winning ticket was that ONE that we all know about, but she mentioned that she had previously purchased others at other locations. If i'm not mistaken, the guy who just won the second half of the big jackpot in Cali also had bought tickets in different towns as he was driving around. I always do that myself, but just hasnt paid off yet. Sometimes i even have multiple tickets from multiple States. Glad iher deligence paid off for her and her family. Great Stuff!!
Sometimes when i go to the counter to purchase tickets, i may ask for 5 quick picks but the clerk does one of two things: either gives me one ticket with 5 lines, or sometimes they give me 5 tickets with one line each......without my input. Try not to make too much of it though i know and get where you are coming from. Just wish the winners well and hope lady luck smiles on you at the right time and place, no matter how many tickets you purchased. ; ))
But trust me, i know what you're saying. I get slightly, only slightly, peeved at times too btu more so because of my own buying patterns that wont even yield 3 numbers out of the 6. lol!! One day though, one day!!
Lottery officials love to give the impression that it only took a dollar and a dream to win.
Yeah I didn't buy that part either. Even though it only takes $1 to win, they love to bait the non players by reporting that the winner bought only one ticket at that store and won the jackpot. What they'll never report is "Winner spent $20 at another store but won on the sole ticket bought last minute while at the grocery store" or "Winner spent an average of $200 a month for years before winning big."
It's marketing at its finest.
That may well be M- but when you get right down to it: These 2 contributed 50 cents a piece toward the winning ticket.
There is no arguing against that. 50 cent " not the rapper"....got it done baby.
99.9% of these $1 win story is just that....A STORY!!!. You can buy 1000 single $1 tickets, and still claim you only spent $1 to win. Technically true, but factually pure bullcrap.
True- But it is not beyond the realm of possibility to say one cannot buy a singular ticket and win.Its a game of chance, and will remain that mpm.
Great another winner with one foot in the grave...
Rather than give a version of the truth, why not just say that a MM costs only $1 and leave it at that. Why misrepresent facts? It's almost as if they think people will stop playing because they announced that one winner spent $30 to win.
It only takes a dollar and a dream.
Still possible with MegaMillions!
They just had their eggs in more than one basket. I always buy more than one ticket but at the same place and same time since I only play combinations I picked, buying them at different places would be a waste of time.
Another "version of the truth" as you put it is - it only takes one ticket to win. Out here in CA, They stress the importance of " playing responsibly " because there are those nutcases that will bet the mortgage payment on lottery tickets, how much better to stress the all it takes is the " one dollar" mantra.
I firmly believe that there are single lottery ticket winner's out there. It's total B.S. to suggest that one has to buy more than one ticket to win the prize.... thing is: people know it.
* BTW- where does it say that this family bought more than one ticket?
The report say they " buy" tickets at other locations, not " bought!".
It's total B.S. to suggest that one has to buy more than one ticket to win the prize.... thing is: people know it.
This thing is going left because you say things I did not say. Take care
Maringoman: The portion you highlighted was a blanket statement, not an accusation at you , otherwise l would have said " You wrong in assuming that you need more than one ticket to win"..l try to avoid using the word " you" unless l am being verbally attacking by some flamer, which you not.
Peace.
Glad to see almost everyone happy for these people. Disturbing to hear B2b....ummmm....i mean Shelbyville...... reference a winner "with one foot in the grave." You could be there yourself at any moment.
Glad to see almost everyone happy for these people
I think we're happy for them. I know I am happy for the two. Maybe this thing about only $1 ticket should have been saved for the discussions forums
That press conference was boring. It was like watching one of Obamas speeches.
Could be you as well sir