The winner, 45-year-old Bob Keller of Greene County, said he feels lucky to have purchased that big winning ticket.
“Technically I wasn’t going for that ticket. I went to the machine and it didn’t have the ticket I wanted so I pushed the Christmas one,” said Keller. “I went to my car, scratched it and thought it was an April Fool’s joke! I went back in the store to ask the cashier about the ticket, and they were all excited.”
Keller said he purchased the ticket on April 8 and claimed it on the 14th.
“The store clerk said, ‘Yeah that’s legit, you can scan it to check.’ I did and it read, ‘Congrats you won $1 million!’” said Keller.
After confirming his big win, Keller said he then told his older sister about the great news. He said she didn’t believe him at first, which added to the excitement.
It was also a memorable moment because Keller, a certified nursing assistant, had just finished a long day at work.
“I was exhausted, I had been up since 5 in the morning, and it was the afternoon,” said Keller, who shared that he has worked as a CNA for 16 years. “I don’t know how this money will impact my life. I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
“I’m not quitting my job any time soon. I like playing the Lottery because there’s always that hope of winning,” he added.
"All of us here at the Waynesburg Giant Eagle are so excited to have a local winner here in our small, little town! It gives everyone hope that it could happen to them one day, too!" said Mandy Dicken, store manager.
“We always say it only takes one ticket to win big. Congratulations to our newest millionaire, Bob, on his prize,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “The Lottery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and thanks to our players and retailers, the Lottery is continuing to fulfill its mission of responsibly generating funds for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians.”
The PA Lottery Scratch-Off $1,000,000 Merry and Bright went on sale on October 26, 2021 and is a $20 game that offers top prizes of $1 million. This game was also featured in a second chance to win on the Pennsylvania Lottery’s
North Pole Payout Second-Chance Drawing, which included qualifying Fast Play and Draw Game tickets. That Second-Chance Drawing ended on January 6.
To determine if they have won a prize, players can review the ticket, scan it at a Lottery retailer or use the ticket checker feature on the Lottery’s
Official App. Winners should immediately sign the back of the ticket, call the Lottery at 1-800-692-7481 and make an appointment to file a claim at the nearest
Lottery office.
Prizes must be claimed and tickets validated before winners can be identified. Scratch-Off prizes expire one year from the game's end-sale date posted at
palottery.com. All lottery prizes more than $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding. Visit palottery.com to review rules, chances of winning and learn how to play our traditional and online games.
Newest Scratch-Offs >
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About Us: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery to direct all proceeds to
programs that benefit older residents. Since ticket sales began in 1972, it has contributed more than $32.6 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals.
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