Cleveland Man Turns $1.50 Into $75,000 Jackpot

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Cleveland man has transformed a modest $1.50 lottery investment into a $75,000 windfall after matching all five numbers in an Ohio Lottery Pick 5 drawing.

According to the Ohio Lottery, the winner purchased two tickets ahead of the midday drawing on April 17 — a $1 ticket and a $0.50 ticket — both bearing the winning combination 8-2-2-6-4.

The $1 ticket paid out $50,000, while the $0.50 ticket yielded $25,000,

Bringing his total prize to $75,000. After combined federal and state tax withholdings of 26.75%, the winner will take home approximately $54,937.50.

For context, the odds of matching all five Pick 5 numbers are 1 in 100,000 — making the feat all the more remarkable given the minimal cost of entry.

The winner told Ohio Lottery officials he intends to use the funds to pay off outstanding bills and travel to visit family.