Pennsylvania truck drive realized he won $1 million after seeing sign at Sheetz

A Pennsylvania man has a lot to celebrate after winning a $1 million New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket, according to a press release by the Pennsylvania Lottery.  

Jake Parkinson, 26, a Butler County resident, north of Pittsburgh, said he isn’t a frequent lottery player, but took a chance on the game by purchasing a $20 ticket at Sheetz on New Castle Road in Butler.

“I played the raffle before a few years back. I figured I’d give it a shot,” Parkinson told lottery officials. “It was a few days after the drawing when I went to that Sheetz and saw a sign that read, '$1 million raffle ticket sold here.' I remembered I bought one there and figured to check.”

Kentucky man says lottery win helped:Pull him out of debt 'for the first time in my life'

After seeing the sign, Parkinson used the Lottery’s Official App to check his ticket.

“I scanned my ticket on the Lottery App, and it said to take the ticket to a retailer or Lottery office,” Parkinson said. “Next, I went to the website and checked the numbers. I had a big smile on my face when I saw I won.”

Parkinson, a truck driver by trade, said he plans to pay off his house and invest some of his winnings.

“This is truly life changing. When you play the lottery, you’re hoping to win. Once I figured out I won big, I was in shock,” Parkinson said.

Parkinson receives a commemorative check to celebrate lottery win

On Feb. 28 the Pennsylvania Lottery officials and Sheetz, a Lottery retailer, presented a commemorative check to Parkinson. The check presentation was held at Sheetz and the retailer also received $5,000 for selling the lucky ticket.

Sheetz Public Relations Manager, Nick Ruffner, hopes that more lucky players like Jake will continue to purchase tickets at their lottery retailer.

New Year’s Millionaire Raffle game is a popular game for Pennsylvania lottery players

Since its debut in 2005, the New Year’s Millionaire Raffle game has made 136 people millionaires, the PA lottery said.

According to the lottery, the Jan. 6 drawing gave out 6,000 cash prizes. The cash prizes reached a sum more than $5 million.

Lucky winners received the following cash prizes:

• four $1 million prizes
• four $100,000 prizes
• 100 prizes of $1,000
• 5,892 prizes of $100

What are the odds for Millionaire Raffle?

The overall odds of winning New Year’s Millionaire Raffle are 1 in 83.33, the Pennsylvania lottery states.

The odds of winning the top prize of $1 million in Pennsylvania are 1 in 125,000, according to the lottery.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

In order to purchase a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store - and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.