A Missouri Lottery player was still in shock when she claimed a $5 million top prize at the Lottery’s St. Louis regional office on March 16. The winning “500X” Scratchers ticket she redeemed was purchased by her son at QuikTrip, 8583 St. Charles Rock Road, in St. John.

“I’ve never really won anything before,” the winner chuckled.  “I didn’t even pick the ticket. My son did. I gave him money and asked him to buy me a ticket.”

Her son shared with Lottery staff how the lucky moment unfolded.

“It was crazy! I was supposed to get it from the vending machine,” he explained. “But I ended up going to the counter. I liked the color of it when the clerk pulled it out. I paid for it, took it home and it went from there.”

The winner relayed how she knew her son had picked a winning ticket the moment she uncovered a 100X symbol. Still, she never imagined the prize amount she would be multiplying  by 100 would be a $50,000 prize – therefore providing her a $5 million win.

“I think I’m going to let him pick out all of my tickets!” she laughed.

During the last fiscal year, Lottery players in St. Louis County won more than $195.9 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, retailers received more than $18.8 million in commissions and bonuses, and more than $47.9 million in Lottery proceeds went to educational programs in the county.