Eastern Kentucky woman gets egg-straordinary win from online Instant Play game
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WBKO) - Last week, an Eastern Kentucky woman traveled to Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville after a wager she made online on the Elephant King Instant Play game.
Hazel Morris and her husband, Dale, both from Chavies, generated quite the buzz at lottery headquarters when she walked through the door carrying a carton of eggs.
With egg prices being what they are, Hazel shared with lottery officials that prior to her win she had been sending people she knows a meme showing an open refrigerator door full of nothing but eggs with a message that read, “I wouldn’t tell anyone I won the lottery but there will be signs.”
She was online playing Instant Play games the evening before her big win when she decided to call it a night since she had money remaining in her account.
“I started playing the day before, and I went up to like a hundred dollars. I thought, well, I’m gonna cash out, but something said to hang onto it and play for the next few days,” she explained to lottery officials.
On the evening of March 15, after returning home from work, Hazel continued to play and soon found herself a jackpot winner on the Kentucky Lottery’s new Elephant King Instant Play game.
On her screen appeared $281,651.41!
“Suddenly, I saw the winning notification come up, and I just started shaking. I sat there for a long time, and I just started thanking God. I couldn’t believe it was real,” Hazel recalled. “I couldn’t holler for him (Dale) because I couldn’t talk. I thought Well, I don’t know if this is real. I knew if it was real, I’d get an email from the Kentucky Lottery.”
The couple made the drive to Louisville on March 19, where Hazel received a check for $202,789.01 after taxes.
Hazel, who has worked in the kitchen at the Eastern Kentucky Veteran Center for nearly 22 years, expressed her gratitude and plans for the prize.
“I plan to pay off my bills and use the money as a cushion for retirement. It’s not enough to retire on, but it will certainly help,” Hazel said. She also mentioned their intention to help their children and those who have been there for them.
In addition to the financial relief, Hazel shared her excitement about celebrating with friends.
“I went to a local bakery and got donuts to celebrate. It’s a life-changing event, and I’m grateful for this blessing,” she added.
Dale spoke fondly of his wife, telling officials how kind and generous she is.
“She does a lot in the community and helps out,” he said in a release. “It’s well deserved.”
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