Hancock County man scores $25,000 scratch-off: ‘I’ve never won a thing in my life’

HAWESVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Kentucky man’s casual scratch-off buy won him $25,000.

The Kentucky Lottery said Kenneth Finley, of Lewisport, stopped at Powers Express in Hawesville, where he bought two $3 Crossword Scratch-offs and took them home to play.  

“I was just sitting there, scratching away, and suddenly, the letters started aligning. I thought I had won $1,000, which already had my heart pumping. But then I realized it was $25,000!”  

Finley was ecstatic when he realized he had won the $25,000 top prize.  

“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Finley said. “The last one I scratched off, I was like, ‘Oh no!’ I looked over that ticket about 13 times, going through every letter to make sure. I haven’t slept all night.”  

It wasn’t until he scratched off the bonus area that Finley uncovered an “E” and an “I,” which revealed 11 words instead of 10 on the ticket to win the game’s $25,000 top prize. 

“It’s only my fifth Scratch-off, ever, that I have purchased. I’ve never won a thing in my life,” he said. “It’s amazing! I’m just so grateful.” 

Finley, who was having issues with his truck and was nervous about traveling to claim his prize alone, set out on a mission to find a ride and travel companion.

“I texted and put a link on Facebook; anyone want to go to Louisville?” he told officials.  

A good friend of his responded and offered to take him.  

When Finley got in her car, the first thing she asked him was how much he won.  

“He said $25,000! I about died,” she said. “There’s not a more deserving person. I got teary-eyed, he deserves it so much.” 

The Hancock County man received $18,000 after taxes and told lottery officials he already has a trip planned to Denmark. He said his winnings will cover his round-trip airfare along with some new clothes.   

“I’ll probably continue to play every now and then, but I won’t go overboard,” he said. 

There have been 34 $25,000 top prizes claimed, leaving 10 $25,000 top prizes remaining and 606 $1,000 second-tier prizes remaining.