Man’s Wife Cried When She Learned How Much They’d Won on Lottery Ticket

The first thing a Kentucky man did after winning a quarter of a million dollars in the state’s lottery was to call his wife — and she was so excited by the news that she was brought to tears.

According to a press release from the Kentucky Lottery, Michael Perry of Owenton won a whopping $250,000 on a $10 scratch-off ticket, which he purchased at a local gas station.

Perry told lottery officials that he had left work early to drive to Louisville to pick up his cousin and stopped off in Verona — located about 25 miles outside Cincinnati, Ohio — to buy two scratch-offs from the local Hop Shop gas station.

“Anytime I buy them I always buy two at a time,” he said, sharing that he picked up two of the state lottery’s Wild Cash 100X tickets.

The first ticket wasn’t a winner, but that didn’t shock him.

“But when I scratched off the second ticket I couldn’t believe my eyes – $250,000!” Perry shared.

According to Perry, only one thing crossed his mind after realizing how much he had won.

“The first thing that crossed my mind was paying off my house,” he recalled. “It’s an amazing feeling to know that I can do that now.”

As Felicia put it, one of the first things her husband told her when he called at work was that he wasn’t kidding around.

“I was at work, and I knew he was on his way down to Louisville. He called me so I answered, and he said, ‘Can you talk?’ ” she said, remembering the moment she found out they had won. “You’re going to think I’m joking with you, but I promise I’m not. I just hit $250,000 on a ticket. Can you get off from work and go to the lottery office with me?’ ”

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“I cried a little bit when I saw the ticket,” Felicia added. “This is literally going to change everything for us.”

The pair headed to Kentucky lottery headquarters the very same day and took home their check, which was $180,000 after taxes.

The gas station shop that sold the winning ticket is also set to receive $2,500.

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According to the state lottery, Perry was the first top prize winner to claim a ticket on the Wild Cash 100X game. The tickets for that game were first sold on June 26. There are still two $250,000 top prizes left for competitors, as well as three $1,000 prizes and 2,027 $500 prizes.

“We’re definitely going to celebrate, and I’m sure everyone will be happy for us,” the couple added.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, please contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700 or go to gamtalk.org.