Forty-three-year-old Richie Thompson is $3,000,000 richer after buying a $3,000,000 in Benjamins scratch-off ticket during a routine stop for gas. The Silver Creek resident said this ticket is his favorite and has been playing it since it came out.

“I needed to get some work done on my car and stopped for gas on my way to my friend’s garage,” explained Thompson. “While I was there I decided to buy a cup of coffee and my favorite Lottery ticket.”

Thompson purchased one $3,000,0000 in Benjamins ticket, but didn’t realize right away that he had won the jackpot prize. “I was scratching the last row and the third-to-last number matched. I started to scratch the prize and wasn’t sure what I was seeing. It said ‘jackpot.’ I was in shock for at least an hour!”

Chautauqua County’s newest Lottery millionaire opted to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment. He will receive a net check totaling $1,641,264 after required withholdings.

“This is unreal,” said Thompson. “I’ve always played to win and knew I was going to. In my mind, I’ve earned it.”

Thompson’s plans for the winnings include buying a new truck, cars for his children and investing the rest for the future.

He purchased his $3 million-winning ticket at Cave’s Food Center on Main Street in Forestville.

Thompson is the 83^rd New York Lottery player to win a prize of $1,000,000 or more this year.

The New York Lottery contributed $32,477,646 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Chautauqua County during fiscal year 2016-2017.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.27 billion in fiscal year 2016-2017 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery’s contribution represents approximately 14 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district’s size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.