'I Just Went Numb': Fairfield Resident Claims $1 Million Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Prize

FAIRFIELD, CT — An unnamed Fairfield man has won $1 million playing a Connecticut Lottery scratch game, lottery officials said.

The longtime lottery player had initially won $1,000 before a store clerk suggested he purchase another ticket. He bought Best Chance To Be A Millionaire, one of the Connecticut Lottery’s new scratch games released in January as part of its First Tuesday lineup.

After scratching the ticket, the man asked the clerk to scan it because he was not wearing his glasses. Moments later, the clerk told him what players dream of hearing.

"You won the big one."

The winner said he was stunned by the news.

"I just went numb," the winner told lottery officials.

The winning ticket was sold at News Express on Tunxis Hill Road in Fairfield. As the retailer that sold the ticket, News Express will receive a $10,000 bonus from the Connecticut Lottery.

Best Chance To Be A Millionaire has a top prize of $1 million, and as of Thursday, four top prizes remained unclaimed.

The game costs $50 per ticket, and more than 2 million game tickets have been printed.

Overall odds of winning are 1 in 3.13.

As for the Fairfield winner, he said plans to use the prize money to pay off expenses, including his mortgage.