Pittsburgh-Area $1 Million Lottery Winner Collects Prize

WEST MIFFLIN, PA — Stephen Vanzuiden is a licensed pilot and likes to fly. He also enjoys collecting silver coins from around the world.

He'll have a few extra dollars to do both after collecting his $1 million check from the Pennsylvania Lottery for winning the grand prize of the scratch-office ticket for the $1 Million? Seriously game.

“I’m a licensed pilot and it’s an expensive hobby, so this will definitely help me,” he said.

The check presentation was made at the Shop 'n Save on Buttermilk Hollow Road, where Vanzuiden purchased the ticket. The store will receive $5,000 for selling the big winner.

Vanzuiden, 70, a retired salesman, said he has been scratching lottery tickets for more than 30 years.

“I started buying this ticket when it first came out and it never let me down," he said. "I often get my money back. I scratched the ticket at home, and it felt completely unrealistic when I saw the prize amount.”

After confirming his big win, Vanzuiden said he shared the winning news with family and close friends.

“I told a good buddy of mine since we both like to play the lottery," he said. "He said he was a little jealous initially but congratulated me after.”