Dad's shocking $1.4 million win on 7-Eleven grocery run

A dad has won US$1 million (about A$1.4 million) on a lottery scratch card after popping to the shops to buy chocolate milk for his children.

Dennis Willoughby, from North Chesterfield in the US state of Virginia, said he stopped at the 7-Eleven store in the state capital Richmond to make his purchase.

While in the store, the father decided to buy a Platinum Jackpot scratch card and was stunned to discover he had scooped the $1.4 million top prize.

He was given the choice of having the full amount paid in yearly instalments for the next 30 years or a one-off lump sum of US$640,205 (about A$880,000) before taxes and he opted for the cash.

Odds of winning top prize on lottery scratchie 1 in 1,632,000

He was the second top-prize winner for the Platinum Jackpot game, meaning a $1.4 million ticket is still in circulation.

"Dennis Willoughby just wanted to buy some chocolate milk for his kids," Virginia Lottery said.

"While he was there (at the 7-Eleven), the North Chesterfield man also happened to pick up a USD 1,000,000 Platinum Jackpot ticket from the Virginia Lottery.

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"When he scratched the ticket, it turned out to be a top prize winner. He won the choice of either the full USD 1 million prize in annual payments over 30 years, or a one-time cash option of USD 640,205 before taxes. He chose the cash option.

"The odds of winning the top prize in this game are 1 in 1,632,000. The odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.92. The store receives a USD 10,000 bonus from the Virginia Lottery for selling the winning ticket."

– Australscope

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