INDIANAPOLIS (November 17, 2021) – A few Johnson County residents are celebrating recent Hoosier Lottery wins of $5 million and $1 million after claiming their respective prizes at the Hoosier Lottery Headquarters in downtown Indianapolis.
One Hoosier Lotto
® entry matched all six numbers in the estimated $5 million jackpot drawing on Saturday, October 30, and one Powerball® entry matched all five numbers—only missing the Powerball—valid for $1 million in the drawing on Wednesday, November 10.
“We love when players enjoy our games,” said Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah M. Taylor. “It is so gratifying to meet the winners and share in their excitement.”
$5 Million Hoosier Lotto Jackpot
Jennifer Wilkinson and Tehya Wheeler, both of Franklin, Ind., are sharing the $5 million Hoosier Lotto jackpot, opting for the 30-year annuity payment option.
According to the winners, who typically play Hoosier Lotto each week, they purchased their ticket the day before the drawing. The next day Jennifer checked the numbers on the Hoosier Lottery App. At first glance, she thought they won $2,000. Very quickly she realized the amount was much more.
“The ticket was scanned probably five times on the Hoosier Lottery App,” recalls Jennifer. “I thought it was a glitch or something.” Once she gathered herself, she went to pick up Tehya from work.
Tehya remembers the moment Jennifer shared the good news. “Jennifer had no color in her face, and she whispered to me. There was no screaming, as to not draw attention, but there were some tears!”
When asked about plans with the jackpot funds, the winners said, “Outside of paying off some bills, there are no major plans.”
The winning ticket was transacted at Casey’s #3499 located at 3048 N Morton St. in Franklin.
Twenty-two Hoosier Lotto drawings had occurred since the last jackpot win back on Saturday, August 14, 2021. That jackpot was $15.8 million and was won by a Plainfield man who purchased the ticket in Fort Wayne. The Hoosier Lotto jackpot has been won two times in 2021.
$1 Million Powerball Win
Joey Russell claimed the $1 million Powerball
® win on November 15 simply saying, “I’m pretty happy.”
The Caterpillar employee who lives on the Johnson County side of Edinburgh enjoys playing the Quick Pick numbers on Hoosier Lottery Draw games—Powerball, Mega Millions® and Hoosier Lotto®—saying, “I just enjoy the dream of winning.”
The day he bought the ticket, Joey stopped for gas at Casey’s #2582 located at 210 West Center Cross Street in Edinburgh and decided to purchase three Hoosier Lottery Draw game tickets.
A few days later this past weekend, one of his grandsons called and said, “Did you hear someone hit the Lottery at the Casey’s where you buy your tickets?”
He went back to Casey’s where they scanned the tickets. He quickly realized five numbers matched on his Powerball ticket, and the store monitor indicated he should visit the Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment office.
“I did not know what matching five numbers paid out. I was thinking maybe $10,000,” recalls Joey. After calling the Hoosier Lottery office, it became clear: $1 million!
Joey shared, “I never win anything! I told my wife about the win, and at first, she did not believe me. Then she got a little excited!”
After claiming the prize Joey’s first appointment is at a financial investment firm, Integrity Wealth Management in Columbus, Ind. “My goal is to invest, pay off our home and hopefully retire a little sooner. My excitement grows a little bit more every day.”
Hoosier Lotto Overall Odds 1 in 6
Powerball Overall Odds 1 in 25
Double Play Overall Odds 1 in 25
Mega Millions Overall Odds 1 in 24
