Virginia Woman Wins Over $3 Million Playing Lottery While Feeding Horses

STAFFORD, Va. — A Stafford County woman has become over $3 million richer after winning the Virginia Lottery‘s Jackpot Spectacular game while tending to her horses. Amy Sylvester, 38, clinched a jackpot worth $3,046,100, catching her completely off guard.

According to lottery officials, Sylvester was waiting for her horses to finish eating in her barn when she decided to pull out her phone and play the online game on September 15, 2023. In what she described as a surreal moment, she was shocked to discover she had won the substantial prize.

“I was surprised!” Sylvester told lottery officials in a statement. “I didn’t think it was real!” Her excitement stems from the fact that the Jackpot Spectacular game, which is available in several states, offers a progressive jackpot that can grow significantly before it is won.

The Virginia Lottery noted that the odds of winning any prize in the game are 1 in 3.99, while the odds for winning the jackpot vary depending on the price point of the tickets. Each ticket can be purchased online or at various retail locations across the state.

In addition to online games, Virginia Lottery offers other popular games like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Cash4Life. Players must be 18 or older and physically located in Virginia to participate. Tickets can also be ordered through the Jackpocket app, which connects players to lottery games.

While Sylvester has not publicly shared her plans for the winnings, lottery officials have encouraged winners to consider their financial options carefully. The Virginia Lottery emphasizes responsible gaming practices and notes that anyone who feels they may have a gambling problem can seek support through various hotlines.

The news of Sylvester’s win comes as more people turn to online platforms for gaming, particularly in states where lottery operations have expanded digitally. The Virginia Lottery continues to explore ways to improve the gaming experience for players across the state.