Tuesday 24 April 2012

Virginia Woman Wins $1 Million Lottery "Twice in the Same Day"

Winning the lottery once-in-a-lifetime is fairly lucky. Winning the lottery twice within the same day? Virginia Pike is among the few individuals that may describe that feeling.


The Berryville, Va., resident had two tickets that matched five from the six Powerball numbers in an April 7 drawing to ensure that each ticket was worth $1 million.


"I'm in shock!" Fike said inside a news release in the Virginia lottery.


In early April, Fike stopped in an Olde Stone Truck Stay in Virginia together with her numbers ready and purchased two tickets.






"I picked numbers based on my parents' anniversary as well as their ages in those days, divided by the year these were married," Fike said within the release. "I just love the jackpot games and I play when I can afford it."


The jackpot that week was at $80 million. To be able to win the jackpot, check in holder has to match 5 numbers and the sixth Powerball number.


Following the drawing, it was announced that nobody had won the jackpot, but 14 people nationwide had matched five from the numbers and were eligible for $1 million prizes each. A couple of the winning tickets were in Virginia.


Pike was in a healthcare facility keeping her mother company.


"I saw a scroll on television about there being two $1 million winners. I looked at my mother and said 'Wouldn't it be funny if it was us?'" she said.


When she stopped by a convenience store, Pike had the clerk check her tickets and she learned that she had won each of Virginia's $1 million prizes.


Per Virginia state lottery rules, winners split the jackpot, regardless of how many there are, but non-jackpot prizes from matching area of the winning sequence aren't split and may be won many times.


"It's not too uncommon for individuals to buy tickets in games with the same number, but this is the biggest prize we've ever had in Virginia of two tickets within the same drawing," Virginia Lottery spokesman John Hagerty told ABCNews.com.


Pike was presented with a cheque for $2 million on Friday in the truck stop where she purchased check in. Winners in Virginia are required to come forward and become identified. She will receive $1.4 million after taxes. The store also received a $200,000 bonus for selling the 2 winning tickets.


Pike didn't respond to a request for comment from ABCNews.com. For now, Virginia's newest millionaire is basking in her shocking win.


"I must be dreaming," Pike said. "I anticipate assisting to look after my parents and paying some bills."