A Somerset man has struck it big with a Kentucky Lottery King Crossword Scratch-off ticket, winning an impressive $150,000.
Charles Amburgey purchased a $10 King Crossword ticket from a vending machine recently from the Speedway on South Highway 27 in Somerset. When first looking at the ticket, he initially miscounted the words, thinking he had won smaller amounts before realizing the true prize. "At first, I thought I'd won $100. Then I thought I'd won $50,000. It wasn't until the next morning that I realized I had actually won $150,000," Amburgey told lottery officials.
“It was like a dream.”
The winning ticket was scratched at home, and Amburgey was in disbelief until he scanned the ticket to confirm the prize. "We didn't believe it until we scanned it. It was definitely amazing," he said.
Amburgey made the drive with members of his family to lottery headquarters where he received a check for $108,000 after taxes.
He told officials he plans to use the prize money to buy land and upgrade his family’s housing situation. "We're buying land,” he said. “I own my mobile home so I'm going to buy the land and probably sell the one I'm in for something bigger.”
Amburgey also said he plans to continue his charitable contributions, believing in the power of paying it forward.
Amburgey believes faith may have played a role in his journey. "The night before, I donated to a charity, and the next morning, I received a Bible verse that said, 'Those who bless will be blessed.' An hour later, I found out I had won," he shared.
"We've been playing for a few months and putting the money we win towards buying more tickets. We’ve really not spent much money on it (lottery),” Amburgey said.
“This win is definitely a blessing.”
In celebration of National Lottery Week, the Kentucky Lottery is highlighting Amburgey and his big win.
Speedway will receive $1,500 for selling the winning ticket.
