Getting lucky in Kentucky.
A pit stop turned into a serious payday for one lucky Red Bull fan.
James Milby, a truck driver from Glasgow, Kentucky, was working in the yard with his wife Tammy when he got a hankering for an energy boost and headed to a local convenience store for a Red Bull.
Using the change from his beverage purchase, Milby spent $30 playing the Kentucky Lottery’s $20 Big Money Doubler! Fast Play game.
According to lottery officials, Fast Play is a series of games with instant cash prizes and a rolling jackpot that starts at $10,000.
At first, Milby couldn’t believe his luck.
“I scanned it and thought, ‘What in the world, something ain’t right,’” he told the Kentucky Lottery. “I hollered for my buddy who works at the store, and he said, ‘I knew it! Your time was coming!”
Milby ran to show his wife, who initially thought something was wrong with her husband.
“He was just shaking,” she said. “Then he kept saying, ‘No, it’s good! It’s good!’”
Unconvinced, Tammy had James take her to the store to see the evidence for herself.
“I dinged it up on the machine and took a picture,” said Wilby. “I knew she’d never believe me!”
The picture revealed that Wilby had won the $551,151 Fast Play jackpot. His winnings included an additional bonus feature that added $250,000 to the $301,151 advertised jackpot.
The couple kept the news of Wilby’s win quiet until they were sure their pay day was legit, even avoiding telling their children, who were suspicious of their parents’ odd schedules.
“It’ll be fun to finally tell them,” said Tammy.
According to the Kentucky Lottery, Wilby’s win marks only the second time in history that a Kentucky player has won the $250,000 additional bonus on a Fast Play game.
Milby had tried his luck with Scratch-off tickets for years before switching to Fast Play a few months ago at his grandson’s behest.
“My grandson was watching me, and he told me, ‘Papaw, it’s just like a Scratch‑off, only you don’t scratch!’” Milby said.
“So, I started trying them instead of Scratch-offs. I’d been watching that game and figured it was bound to be hit some time or another.”
And a hit it was.
Lottery officials said the odds of this kind of win are 1 in 240,000.
After taxes, the Milbys ‘ take-home winnings clock in at just under $400,000. The couple said they plan to invest, pay off debt, and enjoy a slower pace of life together.
“I’m a family man,” said Milby. “I just want to improve my family’s life. And whatever the good Lord puts on my heart to do, I’ll do.”
Milby assures that, despite his good fortune and the higher count of commas in his savings account, nothing about his character will change.
“I’m still me,” he said. “But this blessing sure came at a good time.”
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