WASHINGTON (WMAL) — It seems like a one-in-a-million chance for someone to receive a winning scratch-off ticket, but for one Fairfax resident, that wasn’t the case.
Humberto Mercado couldn’t believe his eyes after scratching a 50x the Money ticket he purchased at Four Mile Run Shell, 4060 Four Mile Run Drive in Arlington.
The ticket was a $5 million winner.
Between taking the full $5 million prize over 30 years or a one-time cash option of $3,379,909 before taxes, Mercado took the cash option.
“It’s nerve-wracking,” said Mercado who works in construction.
At this time, he has no immediate plans but is still in shock about his win.
“The 50X the Money game (game #1770) is one of dozens of Scratchers from the Virginia Lottery. It features prizes ranging from $20 up to $5 million. This is the first top prize claimed in 50X the Money, which means two more remain unclaimed. The odds of winning the $5 million prize are 1 in 1,876,800, while the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.07.” Virginia Lottery stated in a news release.
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