A Virginia woman beat the odds − twice.
Oletha Etheridge of Gloucester recently purchased a “$100,000 a Year” scratch-off ticket from a local Food Lion and made a life-changing discovery, according to the Virginia Lottery.
Etheridge told her daughter, “Are you sitting down (because) I have something to tell you?”
She revealed that she won $1 million. The chances of winning the top prize are 1 in 612,000, according to the lottery website.
Etheridge decided to take the one-time cash option − $816,000 before taxes. The alternative was receiving annual payments over 10 years.
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Etheridge won the lottery years ago
Etheridge’s win comes after she won $25,000 from the lottery in her 20s, lottery officials said.
She plans to invest some of her latest prize money in her home, which she bought after her initial win decades ago. The winner also wants to snag “an affordable Corvette,” the news release stated.
Etheridge, who is in her 60s, shared her winnings with her daughters, Taletha and Takema, who will use the money to purchase their homes. All their names were written on the check.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Virginia woman wins lottery twice. This time her prize is $1 million.
