Oct. 9 (UPI) — A Nebraska man said a fellow customer at a store inspired him to buy the lottery ticket that earned him a $200,000 prize one day before his birthday.
Springfield resident Michael Henrichs told Nebraska Lottery officials he was at the B&D Pit Stop on Platteview Roa in Springfield when he saw another customer buying lottery tickets and decided to get a scratch-off for himself.
He selected a $20 Titanium 20s ticket and was shocked to see his prize.
“At first I thought I’d won $20, but I kept scratching,” he said. “Then maybe a $200 win. Then I saw the comma.”
Henrichs ended up scoring a $200,000 prize one day before his birthday. He said it was also the 30-year anniversary of the day he bought his house.
“This is a very welcome birthday present,” he said.
He said his winnings will go toward home improvement projects and traveling.