Monticello man almost doesn't pick winning $1M ticket

MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) - A White County man got lucky this week, winning $1 million instantly on a Hoosier Lottery Scratch-off.

Dwayne Hampton of Monticello claimed his prize at Hoosier Lottery Headquarters in Indianapolis Monday morning with his wife, Joanne.

Hampton works as a rehab therapist at the Indiana Veterans Home and his wife is a medical assistant.

The couple plans to use the winnings to buy a new truck, pay off all their financial obligations and put the rest away for their two sons’ education.

“It’s a big relief,” said Joanne Hampton. “It makes you feel good to know your bills are paid.”

Hampton bought his winning Lucky Millionaire ticket at Eastside Marathon at 723 S. Main St. in Monticello.

Hampton says he actually walked into the store last Friday intending to purchase a different lottery game. He says he waffled between two games, but finally decided to go with Lucky Millionaire at the clerk’s urging of, “Oh, go for it!”

And lucky he was, indeed!

Hampton is glad that clerk was there and he’s glad he went for it because he is now the game’s sixth instant millionaire. Six instant prizes of $1 million remain unclaimed on the Lucky Millionaire Scratch-off at this time.

Hampton is the second lucky player from Monticello to claim big winnings this month. His win comes on the heels of a $100,000 Scratch-off win by Steven Bonnell of Monticello on Dec. 5.