Tallmadge, Ohio – A group of coworkers from a local business turned a small win into a life-changing moment after winning $1 million in the Powerball lottery by simply reinvesting their earlier prize money.
A Small Win Leads to a Major Jackpot
The group had been pooling their money regularly to play the lottery, with each draw offering a spark of hope and camaraderie. They decided to play the Powerball game on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, attracted by the soaring jackpot. That night, their ticket won just $8. But rather than walking away with the small gain, the team used it to buy a $10 ticket for the next draw on Saturday, December 20.
That decision paid off in a big way. Their ticket matched all five white ball numbers — 4, 5, 28, 52, and 69 — securing a $1 million prize. Although they missed the Powerball number (20) and didn’t add the Power Play option, their stroke of luck was more than enough to spark celebrations.
“One of the winners joked that it was a good thing they didn’t win the $1,250,000,000 because they may all have decided to quit their jobs.” Fortunately for their employer, the smaller (yet still massive) win means the group may be sticking around — for now.
Sharing the Fortune
After mandatory federal and state taxes totaling 26.75 percent, the group will split a take-home prize of $732,500. While not quite enough to retire, it’s certainly a windfall that will bring some financial breathing room, early Christmas cheer, or perhaps a few long-overdue vacations.
The lucky ticket was purchased at Speedway #3671, located at 103 East Avenue in Tallmadge. This location is now linked to a bit of lottery magic and is sure to see a spike in hopeful customers.
With odds of winning at 1 in 11,688,054, their story reminds everyone that even small wins can roll into something far greater. And in this case, it all started with just eight bucks and a little shared optimism.
