A Kentucky couple has won $50,000 after a free promotional Powerball® ticket they received matched four white ball numbers in the October 4 Powerball® drawing.
The Kentucky Lottery’s “First Friday Promotion!” gives players an opportunity to get a free $2 Powerball Quick Pick play on the first Friday in September, October, and November. To be eligible, players must purchase $10 or more on Mega Millions in a single transaction during the promotional period to receive a free play.
For years, the couple has faithfully played the lottery every week, spending $15 each on tickets. It wasn’t discovered they had the winning ticket until two weeks later when the woman returned home from a trip to Europe.
She told lottery officials she will normally purchase their Powerball® and Mega Millions tickets from the lottery vending machine at the Thornton’s on Preston Highway in Louisville. The couple always choose their own numbers using a play slip for a total of $28 and said they will pick out a Scratch-off with the remaining $2.
“That was a free play! It (ticket) just fell out of the machine and I’m like, what’s this,” she said. Printed on the top of the Powerball® ticket was “I won this ticket.”
"I always check my tickets using the app on my phone," she said. "It popped up that we had won $50,000. I couldn't believe it. I had to scan it again to make sure it was legit."
“I got goosebumps,” she said.
When she called her boyfriend to share the exciting news, he initially thought it was a joke.” “I was skeptical,” he said.
The couple received a check for $36,000 after taxes. "We've been playing the lottery for years, and it's amazing to finally win," they shared.
She plans to use the winnings to pay off her mortgage and donate to her church and, “he’ll get his share,” she said.
Thorntons will receive $500 for selling the winning ticket.
