OHIO — A Newton Falls woman is $300,000 richer after a birthday surprise from her husband led to a jackpot-winning Ohio Lottery scratch-off ticket.
According to the Ohio Lottery, the woman’s husband received several scratch-off tickets for his birthday and initially won $150. After cashing in those winnings, he purchased additional tickets. The retailer did not have his wife’s favorite $10 $500,000 Cashword ticket in stock, so he instead bought four $5 Special Edition Cashword Scratch-Off tickets for her.
Later that evening, while her husband was out with friends, the woman scratched the tickets and quickly realized the first one was a major winner. To confirm the prize, she downloaded the Ohio Lottery mobile app and scanned the ticket. The ticket revealed 10 matching words, resulting in a $300,000 jackpot.
She attempted to call her husband to share the news, but he did not answer. When he returned home, he initially believed she had won $50 before learning the true amount of the prize.
The couple plans to use the winnings to pay off their home and vehicle, saving the remainder.
After mandatory state and federal taxes totaling 26.75%, the winner will receive $219,750.
The winning ticket was purchased at Newton Falls Convenient Mart, located at 321 South Milton Blvd. in Newton Falls.
The Ohio Lottery reports the overall odds of winning a prize in the Special Edition Cashword game are 1 in 4.11. As of February 11, five top prizes remain in the game.
Since 1974, the Ohio Lottery has contributed more than $34 billion to education statewide.
