Man Becomes Millionaire After Making Quick Petrol Stop And Playing Lottery

A man has become a millionaire after making a quick stop at a petrol station before work and picking a different scratch-off lottery game than usual.

John Teague and his wife pose with lottery check, undated. He won a USD 2 million prize on a USD 20 scratch-off purchase. (NC Lottery/Newsflash)

John Teague from the town of Selma, in Johnston County, in the US state of North Carolina, was stunned when he saw that the ticket he bought one morning was worth USD 2 million (GBP 1.6 million).

Teague, who works as a maintenance director in the town of Youngsville, had reportedly made a quick stop for petrol at the Circle K on North Brightleaf in the town of Smithfield, before work.

But instead of buying his usual Cashword instant ticket, he decided to change it for a USD 20 (GBP 16) Grand Money one.

John said in a statement obtained by Newsflash from the North Carolina Education Lottery on Tuesday, 21st March: “I just had this overwhelming feeling telling me to buy that ticket.”

He then recalled: “I was scratching in my truck and I’m like, ‘This can’t be real.’ First thing I did was scream at the top of my lungs.”

The lucky man then immediately called his wife to tell her the good news and said: “I told her, ‘Now I can get you the house that you deserve’. This is a life-changing event.”

Teague collected his prize at North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters at 2728 Capital Blvd, in the city of Raleigh on Monday, 20th March.

Picture shows the Circle K in Smithfield, North Carolina, USA, undated. John Teague won a USD 2 million prize on a USD 20 scratch-off purchase from the store. (Google Maps/Newsflash)

He reportedly chose a one-time payment after being offered the prize as an annuity of USD 100,000 (GBP 81,507) over 20 years and a lump sum of USD 1.2 million (GBP 978,084).

He then took home a total of USD 855,006 (GBP 696,872) following state and federal taxes.

The man revealed that aside from buying a house, he will also pay off his truck and buy a new lawn mower.

He added: “This really is a blessing for our family. Hallelujah.”

North Carolina Education Lottery officials said: “The Grand Money game debuted in September 2021 with four top prizes of USD 2 million [GBP 1.6 million]and six USD 100,000 [GBP GBP 81,507] prizes.

“Since Teague won the last USD 2 million [GBP 1.6 million] prize, the lottery will begin the process of ending the game.”

Tags: , , ,