Veteran Celebrates $1 Million Pennsylvania Lottery Win in Bedford County with Ceremonial Check Presentation – PennWatch

Officials from the Pennsylvania Lottery presented a commemorative check to the winner of a $1 million Scratch-Off called Triple Red 777. The check presentation was held at Martin General Stores, 533 Main St., Saxton Boro, Bedford County, where the winning ticket was sold. The retailer will receive a $5,000 selling bonus.

The lucky winner, 58-year-old Kenneth Bilger of Bedford County, who goes by “JR,” said he is a retired U.S. Navy veteran who has lived in Pennsylvania since 2002. He said his previous biggest Lottery win was $1,500, making this most recent $1 million prize especially shocking.

“I was floored. It was a trip,” said Bilger. “This is a lot more money than I’m accustomed to.”

Bilger said that on May 9, he purchased a few Scratch-Off tickets at Martin General Stores and was preparing to head home when the final ticket revealed the $1 million top prize.

“I had to check the ticket three or four times,” he said. “I was shaking and flushed. A guy walking out thought he was going to have to call an ambulance for me.”

Bilger said he went out to his truck in the parking lot to process the news before going back inside to tell the store manager.

“I called my wife right away, but she didn’t believe me,” he said. “My older daughter was with her, and she didn’t believe me either.”

He later showed the ticket to his other daughter, which is when the win finally started to feel real.

Bilger claimed his prize at the Lottery’s Clearfield office just two days later. He plans to use the prize money to help his wife retire from her job, make upgrades to their home, and continue restoring old trucks, one of his longtime hobbies.

“Congratulations to Kenneth on his big win. This is a reminder that Pennsylvania Lottery players win life-changing prizes every day all across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. “As many of our players know, every ticket sold helps the Lottery generate funding for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians. We’re very proud of the fact that our Lottery remains the only state Lottery to direct all proceeds to programs that benefit older residents.”

“On behalf of the Pennsylvania Lottery, I would like to congratulate Kenneth on this incredible $1 million win,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “We are thrilled to see this prize helping Kenneth and his family enjoy greater financial freedom and pursue the things they love. We also want to again thank Martin General Stores for their valued partnership in serving our players and supporting the Lottery’s mission of benefitting older Pennsylvanians.”

Triple Red 777 is a $30 game that offers top prizes of $1 million. Players can learn more about the game by visiting the Lottery’s website or downloading the Official App.

As a reminder, Scratch-Off prizes expire one year from the game’s end-sale date posted at palottery.com. Winners should immediately sign the back of their ticket and call the Lottery at 1-800-692-7481.

Scratch-Offs are distributed at random, meaning the Pennsylvania Lottery and its retailers do not know where winning tickets will be sold. The Lottery learns where winning tickets are sold only after a prize has been claimed.

All Lottery prizes more than $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding. Visit palottery.com to review rules, chances of winning and learn how to play our traditional and online games.