A Morehead man is celebrating a major win after scoring a $225,000 prize from a Kentucky Lottery scratch-off ticket. The man, who bought the $10 “Wild Numbers 50X” scratch-off game from a local BP station on Flemingsburg Road in Morehead, was left stunned when he uncovered the top prize.
According to the Kentucky Lottery, the lucky ticket was purchased at the BP Food Mart on May 20. The winner, whose identity has not been made public, said he was in complete disbelief when he scratched the ticket and realized he had won the game’s top prize.
“I scratched it right there in the store,” he said in a statement to lottery officials. “At first, I couldn’t believe it. I kept checking it over and over again, thinking maybe I was seeing it wrong.”
He explained that he revealed a “win all” symbol on the ticket, which automatically meant that he won every prize shown on the card. Once all the amounts were added up, the total came to $225,000 — a life-changing sum for the Morehead resident.
Lottery officials say the man went directly to the Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville to claim his winnings. After taxes, he took home a total of $159,750. While the win was sudden and unexpected, he already has a plan for the money. He mentioned that he will use part of it to pay off debts and will save the rest for the future.
The Wild Numbers 50X game is one of the Kentucky Lottery’s popular $10 instant scratch-off tickets. According to the official Kentucky Lottery website, the game offers multiple chances to win, with several top prizes still available. Players match their numbers to winning numbers, and special multipliers or symbols like “win all” or “50X” can lead to even bigger wins.
The BP Food Mart in Morehead will also receive a $2,250 bonus for selling the winning ticket, as part of the Kentucky Lottery’s retailer incentive program. Retailers get a small percentage of winnings when they sell a top-prize ticket, which encourages local stores to promote and sell lottery games.
The Kentucky Lottery, which started in 1989, has raised billions of dollars for education in the state. Proceeds from ticket sales fund college scholarships and grants, including the popular KEES program (Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship). According to official reports, over $4.7 billion has been directed to education funding since the lottery began.
Scratch-off games, which are officially called “instant play” games, are one of the most widely played forms of lottery in Kentucky. Players are drawn to the instant results and the chance to win substantial prizes for relatively low costs. Tickets usually range from $1 to $30, with prize amounts increasing based on the game and cost.
While winning is never guaranteed, stories like this remind many players that big wins do happen — even in small towns like Morehead. With the growing popularity of scratch-offs and new games being released frequently, more Kentuckians are trying their luck at instant win games.
The lottery warns players to always play responsibly and to treat games as entertainment, not a reliable way to make money. For those needing help with problem gambling, the Kentucky Lottery partners with the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling. Help is available through their confidential hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER or by visiting kyproblemgambling.org.
Officials also remind players to sign the back of their ticket immediately after purchase and keep it safe. Winning tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the game ending, so it’s important not to wait too long.
The Morehead man’s win has already inspired a wave of new visitors to the BP Food Mart, where locals are now hoping the store’s luck will rub off on them too. Employees at the store said they’re thrilled for the winner and excited to see the community buzzing with good news.
This win marks yet another big moment for the Kentucky Lottery and a reminder that life can change in just one lucky scratch.
Jon King is an experienced journalist with 3 years of experience in the field. With a strong background in investigative reporting, Jon is known for his in-depth coverage of crime news, finance news, local news, and USA news. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Jon brings his sharp investigative skills, where he provides timely updates and analysis on a wide range of topics. His commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news has earned him a reputation for providing insightful and comprehensive stories that resonate with his audience.
