Nova Scotia man wins $1.5M lotto after buying $200 in Scratch’N Win cards — his first ticket turned out to be the winner

Russell Musgrave of Boularderie Centre, N.S., purchased $200 worth of Scratch’N Win lottery cards and ended up winning a $1.5 million jackpot with the first ticket of his pile.

Musgrave loves to try different Atlantic Lottery games and often buys whatever Scratch’N Win ticket is hot off the press. This time, he won big with Super Set for Life.

“I asked the cashier if there was anything new, and she showed me that one, so I asked how much for a whole pack of them,” said Musgrave. “She checked and said it would be $400 for the entire package, so I said, ‘Well, give me $200 worth of them.'”

Bringing home a stack of cards, Musgrave wasted no time diving in. To his amazement, the very first card he scratched revealed the staggering $1.5 million top prize.

“That ticket had to be the first ticket she took out of the package,” said Musgrave. “What are the chances of that?”

It’s the largest jackpot for this Scratch’N Win game, with prizes starting at $20, which is also the price of a playing card. The overall chances of winning a prize are 1 in 3.21. Super Set for Life was previously available across Canada but is now exclusive to Atlantic Canada. It offers players the chance to win $100,000 a year for 20 years or a lump sum payment of $1.5 million for just $20.

Musgrave decided to go with the lump sum payment. Had he gone with the first prize option, he would have ended up with a larger prize of $2,000,000. However, receiving a lump sum prize upfront can help winners invest their money, creating an even bigger return in the end.

Musgrave has big plans for his windfall. He plans on renovating his home, helping out his daughter by paying off her mortgage, and offering support to his loved ones while bringing a sense of comfort and security to everyday life.

“I feel great,” said Musgrave. “It’s a very substantial pile of money.”

Musgrave purchased his winning Super Set for Life ticket at Brewer’s Convenience in North Sydney, N.S. This is not the first winning Super Set for Life ticket sold by Brewer’s Convenience. Pat and Clint Lettice of Sydney Mines, N.S., who won the Super Set for Life’s top prize in April 2024, also purchased their ticket at the same retail location. As will all lottery wins, the retailer will receive a one percent seller’s prize.

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