In a remarkable stroke of luck, Scott Nalevanko from Leesburg, Virginia, recently became a millionaire, winning a staggering $1 million in the Virginia Lottery New Year’s Millionaire Raffle. The excitement was palpable as he discovered that one of his several tickets had hit the jackpot. The winning ticket was purchased at the local 7-Eleven on East Market Street in Leesburg, adding to the mystique of the win.
Nalevanko, an avid lottery player, shared that he habitually purchases multiple lottery tickets for the annual raffle, some of which he generously gives away as Christmas presents. On New Year’s Day, as news circulated about a $1 million winning ticket being sold at a Leesburg 7-Eleven, Nalevanko couldn’t contain his disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” he exclaimed upon realizing the address matched his ticket. The fortunate winner wasted no time and claimed his life-changing prize on January 2nd.
Scott Nalevanko wasn’t alone in celebrating the New Year with newfound wealth. The Virginia Lottery announced five $1 million winners in total, with winning tickets sold in Leesburg, Arlington, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Stafford. One by one, these fortunate individuals came forward to claim their prizes and share their incredible stories.
Jerome T. from Fredericksburg, another $1 million prize winner in the New Year’s Millionaire Raffle, added his unique tale to the narrative. While enjoying a relaxing New Year’s cruise in the Caribbean, Jerome discovered he was a lottery winner. “My wife screamed and fell off the bed,” he recounted to lottery officials. “I still haven’t wrapped my head around it yet.” Jerome promptly claimed his prize, further cementing the magical start to his year.
The Virginia New Year’s Millionaire Raffle is a computer-generated raffle game where players, like Nalevanko and Jerome, purchase tickets and hope for their luck in a random drawing. The raffle, which took place from October 31, 2023, to January 1, 2024, required a $20 entry fee per ticket. The odds of winning any prize in the raffle are one in 618, while the chances of clinching the coveted $1 million top prize stand at one in 125,000.
The excitement doesn’t end with the million-dollar winners; seven additional tickets earned lucky individuals $100,000 each. These tickets were sold in various locations, including Henrico, Lynchburg, Manassas, Poquoson, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Yorktown. Moreover, 1,000 tickets secured a $500 prize each, spreading the joy among a multitude of participants.
For those interested in testing their luck in future lotteries, purchasing tickets is a straightforward process. Tickets can be bought in person at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and, in some cases, airport terminals. Additionally, technology has made it even more convenient, as lottery enthusiasts can order tickets online through platforms like Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. The Jackpocket app facilitates the selection of lottery games and numbers, ticket purchase, viewing, and even collecting winnings, all from the comfort of one’s phone or home computer.
As the stories of Scott Nalevanko and Jerome T. unfold, their wins stand as a testament to the unpredictability and excitement embedded in the world of lotteries. These life-changing victories, celebrated amidst the backdrop of the Virginia New Year’s Millionaire Raffle, add a touch of magic and anticipation to the beginning of the year for both the winners and those dreaming of their chance to strike it rich.