A quick coffee stop on the way to work turned into a life-changing morning for a Columbus man who scratched off a $1 million top prize on a $20 ticket while sitting in his truck. After revealing the win, he headed into work and told his coworkers, “You gotta be kidding me,” then took a half-day to kick off the claiming process and share the news with his wife.
As confirmed by the Ohio Lottery, the prize is the top award on the $1,000,000 Cashword scratch-off, an annuity paying $40,000 a year for 25 years, with a one-time cash option available to winners.
According to WBNS, the lucky ticket was bought at the GetGo on W. 3rd Avenue in the Grandview Yard area. The man scratched the ticket in his truck while drinking coffee, chose the $500,000 cash option, and will receive about $366,250 after mandatory state and federal withholdings. A coworker who looked over the ticket reportedly counted 14 words in the play area as the win was confirmed.
Map and business listings identify the retailer as GetGo at 820 W. 3rd Ave in Columbus (Grandview Yard). MapQuest and local directories list the store as GetGo #3539.
How the Payout Works
Large instant-ticket prizes must be claimed directly through the Ohio Lottery. Top-prize winners typically present their tickets at a regional office to validate the win and choose between the annuity or cash option. The lottery provides cash-option figures and required state and federal withholding details at the time of claim, along with guidance on claiming large prizes online or at its regional offices, according to Ohio Lottery guidance.
Odds and What Remains
Game listings show that the $1,000,000 Cashword ticket carries overall odds of about 1 in 3.18, per ScratchSmarter. WBNS reported that, as of April 1, three of the game’s top prizes were still unclaimed.
