The PA Lottery Scratch-Off $1 Million? Seriously went on sale on April 18, 2023, and is a $20 game that offers top prizes of $1 million. The lucky winner, 70-year-old Stephen Vanzuiden of Allegheny County, said he has been a longtime player of the PA Lottery and was amazed to learn he had won $1 million.

“I’ve been scratching [Lottery] tickets for more than 30 years and it became part of my hobby,” said Vanzuiden. “I started buying this ticket when it first came out and it never let me down. I often get my money back. I scratched the ticket at home, and it felt completely unrealistic when I saw the prize amount.”
Vanzuiden said he purchased the ticket on September 22 and claimed it on September 25.

After confirming his big win, Vanzuiden said he shared the winning news with family and close friends. “I told a good buddy of mine since we both like to play the Lottery. He said he was a little jealous initially but congratulated me after.”

Vanzuiden, a retired salesman, said he plans to use his prize money to continue his hobby of flying and collecting silver coins from around the world. “I’m a licensed pilot and it’s an expensive hobby, so this will definitely help me.”

“I can’t seem to shake this feeling,” added Vanzuiden. “This has been an amazing ride.”

“Congratulations to our newest millionaire, Stephen, on his prize,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “Thanks to players like Stephen, and retailer partners like Buttermilk Hollow SHOP ‘n SAVE, the Lottery is able to continue generating proceeds to pay for life-sustaining programs and services that older Pennsylvanians rely on every day.”

“Congratulations to Stephen on winning this life-changing prize,” said Buttermilk Hollow SHOP ‘n SAVE Owner Barb Algeri. “It’s always exciting to see a local win big and goes to show winning tickets can show up anywhere.”

Scratch-Offs are distributed at random, meaning the Pennsylvania Lottery and its retailers do not know where winning tickets will be sold. The Lottery learns where winning tickets are sold only after a prize has been claimed.

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 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 >
 

_____________________________________

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 $35.1 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals. The Pennsylvania Lottery operates as a bureau within the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

Visit the Winners and Benefits pages at palottery.com to review how much money each county receives in Lottery prizes and funding to benefit older Pennsylvanians.

Players must be 18 or older. Please play responsibly. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) for help with a compulsive gambling problem.

Visit palottery.com for winning numbers, rules, chances of winning, and to join the VIP Players Club to play online or enter for second chances to win. Install our Official App, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @PALottery. Use the hashtag #palottery to share your messages with us.