CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (Feb. 26, 2026) — Lightning has struck twice for one Pickaway County couple.
A Circleville woman has claimed the $5 million top prize on the Ultimate $5,000,000 scratch-off game from the Ohio Lottery — marking the second major lottery win for her family. Several years ago, her husband won $1 million.
The couple continued playing over the years, picking up occasional smaller prizes. But everything changed during a recent stop at Kroger #1844 on Lancaster Pike in Circleville.
The winner initially purchased an Ultimate $5,000,000 scratch-off ticket but didn’t win. Deciding to try once more, she bought the next ticket in the roll. In a hurry, she only partially scratched it and believed she had won $20,000.
Excited, she called her husband, and the two began planning a celebratory vacation. But after scanning the ticket, she thought she saw a $200,000 prize — though she was hesitant to believe it.
When she returned home and scratched the ticket completely, the true prize was revealed: $200,000 a year for 25 years — the game’s $5 million jackpot.
She chose the annuity option and will receive $146,500 annually for 25 years after 26.75% in mandatory state and federal taxes.
The winner said she plans to retire and focus on enjoying life with her husband.
Among the first celebrations already planned: an overnight stay at the A Christmas Story House and a trip to Florida, where she hopes to swim with manatees. She also intends to finish college, invest wisely and, as she put it, “spoil the dogs.”
Despite their incredible luck, the couple says they aren’t done playing.
The winner expressed gratitude to the Ohio Lottery for “providing this opportunity twice,” adding that she still can’t believe how fortunate they have been.
The Ultimate $5 Million game is a $50 scratch-off ticket with overall odds of 1 in 3.61. As of Feb. 25, six top prizes remain.
Since 1974, the Ohio Lottery has contributed more than $34 billion to education across the state.
