Lottery player thought he had turned $2 into $5,000 – but ‘printing error’ left him feeling ‘tricked’
A lottery participant was shocked to learn that he had not won a jackpot after believing he had struck gold.
After the near-miss in the game of chance, James Lester of Ohio thought he had been duped.
He thought he had won the $5,000 top prize after spending only $2 on the I’m Lucky and I Gnome It scratch-off ticket.
Lester was certain he had won the prize, but his phone showed a different result when he scanned the numbers.
When I scanned it and saw “loser,” I thought, “Oh no.” When he told the ABC affiliate WEWS, “My phone is tripping.”
Lester returned to the store where he had purchased the ticket because he was determined to solve the case.
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He inquired about the number on his ticket from a store employee.
In contrast to the other numerals in the row, the digits in question were hazy.
A representative for the Ohio Lottery acknowledged receiving a complaint regarding a ticket’s numbers being hard to read.
Sales representatives are attempting to remove the old tickets from the field once they were reprinted, but they stated that if the previously printed version was still sold, it was still a legitimate ticket and that they would be compensated if it won.
The Ohio Lottery has been contacted by the U.S. Sun for comment.
Lester, however, has decided not to play the state lottery game as a result of the experience.
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He said, “I feel like I’ve been duped.”
If Lester ever received a prize is still unknown.
There is a one in four chance chance of winning a reward in the game.
The range of prizes is $2 to $5,000.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
When lottery players win large sums of money, they usually have to decide between an annuity and a lump payment.
The amount of money you receive from your reward may vary depending on the two payout options.
Annuities typically pay out over a 30-year period in gradual increments.
Because taxes are withheld all at once, lump sum payments are made all at once but in smaller amounts. In other words, Uncle Sam immediately receives 24 percent of your award. Winnings are also taxed in many states.
While lump amounts have the advantage of just being taxed once, annuities can provide winners time to build up the financial infrastructure needed to receive a life-altering quantity of money.
When choosing, it’s also important to take inflation into account because distributions don’t change in value with the dollar. This implies that when an annuity comes to a conclusion, you will probably receive less valuable money.
It’s best to confirm payment terms with your state lottery as each state and game has distinct prize payout policies. You can evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each choice with the assistance of a financial expert.
There are differing views among experts over whether to take an annuity or a lump sum.
The Ohio Lottery reports that there are 35 top prizes available right now.
In the past, lottery participants have described how they were let down after believing they had won thousands.
Ardella Newman of Virginia believed she had won $20,000 in 2015, but she was let down by a printing error.
A ticket didn’t come out of the machine correctly, thus she was left without anything.
A barcode at the bottom of the slip was a winner, but the ticket she purchased wasn’t.
Printing faults can occasionally work to the lottery player’s benefit.
The Iowa Lottery reports that Josh Buster won a $1 million Powerball prize in 2022 due to a printing error.
He was issued a slip with only one on, but he wanted to purchase five easy-pick plays.
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Buster was then asked by the store employee if they may print four additional plays on a different ticket.
He admitted to the Iowa Lottery that he was taken aback upon realizing how much money he had won.
Do not forget to gamble sensibly.An individual who gambles responsibly is one who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn t gamble if they re upset, angry, or depressed
Visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online or give the National Gambling Helpline a call at 1-800-522-4700 if you or someone you know is battling with a gambling addiction.
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