The lucky winner, 58-year-old April Zipp of Lebanon County, said she received the ticket as a birthday gift from her husband ahead of the April 12 drawing and was in disbelief when she discovered she had won.

“My husband stopped at BG’s the day before for ice cream and purchased $20 in tickets,” said Zipp. “I got up the next day on my birthday and checked the tickets with the Lottery’s app and it told me a claim form was needed. I didn’t understand it at first.”

Zipp said she and her husband returned to BG’s Value Market to verify the ticket.

“The clerk scanned the ticket and told me it was a big winner and to sign the back,” said Zipp. “I went outside and cried.”

Zipp, who said she’s a school bus driver of more than 40 years, said she told her children about the great news.

“They couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I plan to continue working for now, but my husband and I would like to buy an RV and travel and finally live life.”

“This is still so unbelievable. You can’t win if you don’t play,” added Zipp.

“Congratulations to April for winning this life-changing prize and we wish her a very happy belated birthday,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. “Thanks to players like April, and retailer partners like BG’s Value Market, the Pennsylvania Lottery continues to fulfill its mission of responsibly generating funds to pay for critical programs and services that older Pennsylvanians rely on every day.”

“Congratulations to April for winning this incredible prize!” said BG’s Value Market Owner Dianne Koval. “We are excited that a local community member will get to enjoy this prize, and it goes to show that winning tickets can show up anywhere, and anyone has a chance to win.”

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. Prizes for Draw Games (including PICK games, Treasure Hunt, Cash 5, Match 6, Powerball®, and Mega Millions®) can be collected up to one year from the drawing date. 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.
Mega Millions® is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit palottery.com for details on how to play.
 
Pennsylvania Lottery players have options to purchase their Mega Millions® tickets online or by visiting a retailer. Players can find lottery-selling locations closest to them by visiting the Find a Retailer section of the Lottery’s website.

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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 $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.

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