CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — A routine workday took a wild turn when a Virginia Lottery scratcher revealed a $500,000 prize — and it wasn’t the winner who noticed first.
Robert Green had bought a Hamilton ticket and handed it to a coworker while he continued his tasks. Moments later, his coworker screamed — not in alarm, but in excitement, having realized Green had just won the game’s top prize.
Green purchased the winning ticket at Lucky Seven, located at 801 East Market Street in Charlottesville. The Hamilton scratch-off game offers prizes ranging from $10 to $500,000. The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 612,000, while overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.77.
Hamilton is one of many instant games available through the Virginia Lottery, which also offers digital play options and draw games such as Powerball and Mega Millions.
All Virginia Lottery profits support K-12 public education in the state. Charlottesville received more than $2.6 million in Lottery funds in the last fiscal year, with statewide contributions exceeding $934 million in Fiscal Year 2024.
Key Points
- Robert Green won $500,000 from a Hamilton scratcher ticket
- A coworker discovered the win while helping check the ticket
- The winning ticket was purchased at Lucky Seven in Charlottesville