Woman Got 60 Lottery Tickets as a Birthday Gift from Her BFF. When She Scratched Off the Last, She Won a Major Prize

A birthday celebration in northeast Ohio got an extra spark when a lottery-themed gift from a best friend turned into a major win.

Wendy, of Canton, Ohio, celebrated her birthday with friends and family who surprised her with a party, according to the Ohio Lottery in a news release. During the celebration, her best friend Carrie handed her a bouquet made up of 60 Ohio Lottery scratch-off tickets.

Wendy scratched a few tickets at the party, but saved most of them for later. When she got home and started working through the remaining scratch-offs, the last ticket delivered the big moment: a $2 Cash Explosion Cashword scratch-off.

Lottery officials said Wendy had already been thrilled by the surprise party, but the win on her final ticket made the night even more memorable.

Ohio Lottery: Cash Explosion Cashword is a $2 scratch-off that offers players the chance to win up to $20,000 instantly or a chance to appear on the Cash Explosion TV game show.

Wendy’s $2 Cash Explosion Cashword ticket turned out to be a $20,000 winner. After federal and state taxes totaling 26.75%, she is expected to take home $14,650.

The Ohio Lottery said Wendy immediately called Carrie to share the news and double-check that the result was real. Officials added she didn’t fully believe it until she took the ticket to an Ohio Lottery regional office, where her win was confirmed.

Wendy said she plans to use the money for two things: treating Carrie to a girls’ trip to Punta Cana and paying off her credit card debt.

The winning Cash Explosion Cashword ticket was purchased at a Circle K convenience store in Norton, according to the Ohio Lottery.

Lottery officials noted the overall odds of winning the game are 1 in 4.22, and that top prizes are still available.