A local member of the United States Army was presented with a check Tuesday worth $1.3 million after he won the prize playing an online game.
The Pennsylvania Lottery says Christopher Lehman of Beaver County won a total of $1,351,472 playing “Jackpot Spectacular” on May 30.
Lehman has been an active-duty service member in the Army for 25 years.
“My wife always says I have good luck,” said Lehman. “I looked at the progressive prize amount for Jackpot Spectacular and thought, ‘That one’s about to pop soon.’ I budgeted $100 to play that day. I figured, if I lose, I lose.”
That’s when he was surprised.
“The bonus popped up and I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I just stared at it for a second. My wife didn’t believe it either. We called the Lottery together, and I put the phone on speaker so we could both hear it was real.”
And, it didn’t take long for Lehman to win. He has signed up for a PA Lottery online account on the same day he won the big jackpot.
“My wife and I just moved here from New Hampshire about a month ago,” he said. “I’m active duty in the Army for the past 25 years. I enjoyed playing Lottery games online in New Hampshire and now online in Pennsylvania.”
Lehman and his wife, who were presented the commemorative check at the Lottery’s Pittsburgh office say they play to use the money they won to pay off their mortgage and a car loan. The rest will be invested.
And for Lehman and his wife Judith, winning the Lottery isn’t the only thing they’re celebrating.
They’re youngest daughter is graduating from Army basic training this week.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Lottery’s online games here.