Woman becomes overnight millionaire with scratch off ticket win

VANDALIA, Ill. (WAND) - A Vandalia native is an overnight millionaire after snagging the $3 million top prize in the Illinois Lottery's $30 Royal Riches scratch-off ticket.

The winner is choosing to remain anonymous. But she shared that she originally planned to buy a ticket at another retailer, but the store was closed, being that it was Christmas Eve.

The winning ticket was bought at Phillips 66, 701 Veterans Ave. in Vandalia, Illinois. The winner is a Vandalia native and was visiting her hometown when she bought several scratch off tickets, sharing some with her mother and son.

"I kept the $30 ticket for myself," she said. "I really liked the design."

"When I scanned the ticket at the store, I honestly thought the machine was broken, until I realized I had won $3 million."

The woman said she plans to use part of the winnings to support her family while setting the rest aside for retirement. She plans to continue running her cleaning business.

"I don't plan on quitting," she said. "I'll take a family vacation, but I'm still working."

The retailer gets a bonus of $30,000 for selling the winning ticket.

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