Painesville, Ohio – A decades-long friendship and a simple monthly tradition have turned into a life-changing win for two retired friends in Painesville. Lon and David, co-workers and close friends for more than 40 years, share a routine that began after retirement: each month they purchase one $50 lottery ticket and split any winnings.
This month, Lon stopped at EZ Go Food Mart #1 on Bacon Road and chose a VIP Millions Scratch-Off ticket. What began as a routine purchase quickly became an unforgettable moment.
A shocking discovery
Lon started scratching one of the Bonus boxes and saw a prize amount of $50,000. He then scratched the remaining four Bonus boxes — each revealed the same amount.
Unable to believe what he was seeing, Lon called David immediately.
He hung up and continued playing the ticket, only to discover 15 additional winning numbers. Still stunned, he drove to David’s house to show him the ticket in person.
Together, the longtime friends realized they had won the VIP Millions jackpot — $40,000 a year for 25 years.
Choosing the cash option
Instead of receiving the $1 million annuity, Lon and David chose the lump sum cash option. After 26.75% in taxes, the friends will split $366,250.
They say the winnings will help them pay off their homes and eventually take a vacation together to celebrate their good fortune.
As of February 13, 2026, 18 top prizes remain in the VIP Millions game.
The Ohio Lottery noted that since 1974, it has contributed more than $34 billion to education across the state. Officials encourage players to learn more about how lottery proceeds support education through programs that benefit Ohio students.
For Lon and David, the win is more than money. It is the result of decades of friendship, a shared tradition, and a moment of disbelief that turned into a memory they will carry for the rest of their lives.
