Anonymous Virginia player hits $1 million top prize playing The Big Ticket: Cold Hard Cash scratch game

Ashland, Virginia – A Caroline County man is celebrating a life-changing moment after discovering that a scratch-off ticket he purchased had delivered the game’s $1 million top prize. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, bought the ticket from the Shop N Drive convenience store located at 10292 E. Patrick Henry Road in Ashland.

The lucky ticket came from the Virginia Lottery’s The Big Ticket: Cold Hard Cash scratcher game. After checking the ticket, the man realized he had hit the top prize. Under Virginia law, any lottery winner claiming a prize of $1 million or more may remain anonymous, and in such cases the Lottery does not release the winner’s identity.

Second top prize claimed in popular scratch game

Big Ticket: Cold Hard Cash is one of dozens of scratch-off games offered by the Virginia Lottery. The game features prizes ranging from $20 up to $1,000,000. Officials confirmed this is the second top prize claimed in the game, leaving one remaining top prize still unclaimed.

Players face odds of 1 in 720,000 to win the top prize, while the overall odds of winning any prize in the game are 1 in 2.93.

The winner had a choice between receiving the full $1 million prize paid out over 30 years or taking a one-time cash option. He chose the lump sum payment of $476,000 before taxes.

According to lottery officials, the man already has plans for the winnings. He said he intends to purchase a vehicle and invest a portion of the prize. He also shared that he may use some of the money to start a business.