Virginia Woman Wins $2 Million After Ticket Mix-Up at Gas Station

CARROLLTON, Va. — Kelly Lindsay, a resident of Carrollton, experienced a life-altering lottery win that stemmed from an unexpected ticket mix-up. In January, she purchased what she believed was a different lottery ticket at a Race Way gas station, only to discover it was a Money Blitz ticket worth $2 million.

Initially displeased about receiving the wrong ticket, Lindsay said, “I wanted to play a different game.” However, her luck quickly turned when she scratched off the ticket in the gas station parking lot and uncovered the winning numbers.

“And I got over not being happy about it!” she joked about her change in fortune. Her win marks one of the notable successes from the Virginia Lottery, which reported that the odds of winning the top prize are approximately 1 in 1,142,400. For Lindsay, that random ticket purchase resulted in a substantial payout.

Despite her windfall, Lindsay decided against collecting the full $2 million prize. Instead, she opted for a one-time cash option of $1,250,000 before taxes. The Virginia Lottery explained that winners generally face the choice between a lump sum payment or annuity payments spread over a longer period.

In Fiscal Year 2024, the Virginia Lottery contributed more than $934 million to K-12 education in the state, forming about 10 percent of Virginia’s total school budget, with Isle of Wight County, where Lindsay resides, receiving over $3.7 million last fiscal year.

The recent win isn’t an isolated incident; it reflects a trend of lottery winners who accidentally select winning tickets. In a similar vein, a Michigan man who had played the same numbers for four years won $1.3 million but lost a significant portion of his prize by choosing an immediate payout.

Lottery officials maintain that while the allure of big winnings captivates many players, understanding the financial implications of prize collection remains critical. “Winning is a great feeling and gives me and my family financial freedom,” the Michigan winner expressed, highlighting the emotional aspect of such life changes.