Gary Thomas, a Dothan, Alabama citizen, transformed a few dollars into millions after winning a single scratch-off ticket in Florida.
The 49-year-old purchased his scratch-off ticket for $5 at Lotto Discount Liquor in Campbellton, Florida, near the Alabama border and approximately 20 minutes from his hometown of Dothan.
Thomas won the top prize in the $5 scratch-off game “$150,000 a Year for Life” later that year. He elected to collect his rewards in the form of a one-time, lump-sum payment of $2,440,000 rather than the award of $150,000 every year for life. According to Gray News, the lucky Alabama guy claimed his check at the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
“It’s still sinking in,” Thomas told the Alabama Lottery after his win. “I couldn’t believe it! I still can’t believe it!”
According to USA Today, the Florida Lottery’s “Year for Life” family of instant games includes tickets ranging from $1 to $50, including the “$150,000 a Year for Life” ticket.
According to the site, Thomas has won the first of four top awards, which will provide him with $150,000 every year for the rest of his life, or a lump amount of $2.4 million. There are three top prizes still available.
The game was launched in July.