18 February 2024 , 07:00
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A man has opened up about the incredible moment he played a lottery scratchcard to win a life-changing sum of money.
Joshua Ramsey, of Gastonia, Tennessee, described how his dreams came true after he realised he had won. He explained he is now able to afford to buy a house for his family.
"This is life-changing for us," an ecstatic Joshua declared after winning $250,000 (£198,500) in the lottery. "I'm going to buy my family a home."
READ MORE: Man who won £39 million on lottery admits to making very bizarre first purchase
He described it as an unforgettable moment, remembering how everything unfolded when he bought a cold drink at Mike's Food Store on South York Road in Gastonia. Adding: "It's one of those experiences you'll never forget."
Woman was 'adamant' she would win top lottery prize - then pockets $200,000
Without planning to, he also purchased a $5 20X The Cash ticket, after a strong gut feeling persuaded him to. "Something was just telling me to get that ticket," Joshua admitted. "I'm sure glad I did."
Joshua had the honour of being the first person to win the top prize in this scratch-off game that launched only last week. Recounting his reaction upon discovering how much he had won, he mentioned he couldnt keep still.
"I started shaking all over," he remembered. "It's one of those experiences you'll never forget." He immediately shared the wonderful news with his sister and his son while still in disbelief.
Nine top prizes on the new 20X The Cash game remain to be won (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"They were both just over the moon ecstatic," he said. After picking up his winnings at lottery headquarters on Friday, he went home with $178,751 after required state and federal tax withholdings were taken into account.
On top of buying a home for his family, Joshua has said he is also looking into buying a car. In another lucky story, a recent winner couldn't stop yelling with happiness in his truck when he found out he won big.
Berhane Meharena was driving back to Virginia from Texas when he checked his lottery ticket and saw he'd won a massive $1million (£800,000).
"I was by myself in the truck. I was screaming!" he told officials at the Virginia Lottery later.
He was in his truck in Texas when he learned he had one of the five tickets that won a million dollars in Virginia's New Year's Millionaire Raffle. Berhane hit the road right away to go back to Virginia and get his prize.