OHIO — A Pickaway County man is celebrating a life-changing win after purchasing a winning Ohio Lottery scratch-off ticket during his morning routine.
According to the Ohio Lottery, the Ashville man won the $1 million grand prize playing the $1,000,000 Cashword scratch-off game.
The winner said he initially set out to buy an Extreme Millions scratch-off ticket but was unable to find one at several locations. He eventually stopped at a GetGo convenience store in Columbus, where the ticket was also unavailable. Instead, he opted to purchase a $1,000,000 Cashword ticket.
After buying the ticket, the man scratched it off in his truck while drinking coffee before work. He said he had a good feeling early on when his first three revealed letters were all vowels.
At first, he believed he had won $10,000 after counting 12 completed words. However, when a coworker reviewed the ticket, the count increased to 14 words — the amount needed to win the game’s top prize.
“You gotta be kidding me. There’s no way. That’s $1 million!” the coworker reportedly told him.
The pair verified the result multiple times before scanning the ticket using the Ohio Lottery mobile app, which confirmed the prize.
The advertised prize was $40,000 a year for 25 years, but the winner chose the lump sum cash option of $500,000. After required state and federal taxes totaling 26.75%, he will receive approximately $366,250.
The winner said he plans to use the money to pay off his house and car and take his wife on vacation. He added that he is grateful for the financial security the win will provide.
The $1,000,000 Cashword is a $20 scratch-off game with overall odds of winning of 1 in 3.18. As of April 1, 2026, three top prizes remained.
