Pennsylvania Lottery Assistant Western Regional Sales Manager Allen Zieglar Photo credit Pennsylvania Lottery
Donald Eller was at his job at Bigdogz Grill in Johnstown when he decided to press his luck with scratch off tickets.
“I bought three tickets in a row and won smaller amounts,” said Eller.
He bought two more tickets and the last one he scratched was a $1 million winner. The five tickets were all the “Big Money Millionaire” game
“I couldn’t believe it. I was shaking,” added Eller.
If he didn’t buy the other tickets, he would’ve missing out on $1 million by only two.
He told his boss and fellow co-workers what had just happened.
“(The boss) let me clock out of work early that day and drove me to the Lottery’s Clearfield office,” he said. “I couldn’t think straight after that. I had to take a step back and take a break.”
The 54-year-old Eller has worked as a cool for 30 years, the past three at Bigdogz Grill, but doesn’t plan on retiring right away.
He says he will work another five years before he retires.
Until then, he’s putting his winnings to good use.
“My older sister lives with me and has had some health problems,” said Eller. “We rent in downtown Johnstown, so I’m going to buy us a home and a new car. I told her, ‘We need to get out of here!’”
“Big Money Millionaire” is a $20 game with a top prize of $1 million.
Big jackpot winners should sign the back of their ticket immediately and contact the lotter at 1-800-692-7481 to begin the claiming process.
Scratch off ticket are distributed across the state at random.