They always say luck is everywhere, right? Well, tell that to David Le, a resident of Katy (Texas), who during his vacation trip to Florida won a whopping fortune of $640,000! Luck kissed him closely when this man decided to buy a scratch-off ticket at a Walmart in Cape Coral… When he scratched it, he discovered he had won the game “A Year for Life Spectacular”, the biggest prize these scratchers offer, originally one million dollars, so he won the lottery!
The ticket that changed his life
We talk about luck, but it almost seemed like he was destined to buy that scratcher. It turns out David was strolling around Cape Coral when he suddenly saw the Walmart Supercenter at 1619 Del Prado Boulevard, and since he had to do some shopping, he went in. When he passed by the scratch-off tickets, he decided to try his luck with a “A Year for Life Spectacular” ticket, which is one of the highest prizes given in scratchers. One million dollars to be paid over 25 years, or the full million at once.
How much did he collect?
In this case, David chose to collect the full prize and received a total of 640 thousand dollars, because like every prize, it’s subject to federal taxes.
But it wasn’t just him who got money. The Walmart Supercenter where he bought the scratcher also received an extra $2,000 commission for selling the winning ticket!
So yes, David Le, who came to Florida to spend a couple of relaxing days, returned to Texas a millionaire!
How many winners have come from this scratcher?
The number is overwhelming. It’s estimated that these scratchers have created at least 2,000 lucky new millionaires in the country! Handing out more than $65.5 billion dollars in prizes. We haven’t been that lucky… but now do you understand why it is Americans’ favourite lottery?
Why are prizes subject to taxes?
This doesn’t happen only in the United States, it happens everywhere. In our country, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers that personal income (like salaries, inheritances or similar) must be taxed. That is why, even if it seems unfair, when someone collects a prize, they must report it in the annual return and pay the corresponding percentage based on their tax bracket. So, you don’t just win… the IRS wins too!
Why are scratchers so popular?
Because they are an easy, simple (and sometimes even addictive) way to win money. It is a quick format, no drawings, no delays, and you know your prize instantly. Plus, there are multipliers that increase the prize value up to 500 times!
A new millionaire
Of course, this story will be a trending topic at absolutely every Thanksgiving dinner David Le has left to live. He arrived in Florida without expecting he’d leave with 1 million dollars in his bank account! The clear definition that luck can change everything! We are not that lucky…
Doesn’t the lottery cause gambling addiction?
Yes, and that’s why we ask that if you are going to play, do it in moderation. If you feel like the situation is getting out of hand, we ask you please to contact professional help.
The lottery can be a lot of fun, but it can also contribute to the development of a problem as serious for our society as gambling addiction. Many see it as a simple game based on chance, but for others it becomes something addictive they can’t stop.
That is why, whenever you play, do it in moderation! And we wish you the best of luck, may you be the next millionaire in this country!