That’s Not Spam, It’s a $50,000 Second Chance Prize!

Since the Oregon Lottery has been offering second chance Scratch-it drawings, Amanda Vaughan from Carlton, Washington, has been an advocate, and it paid off when one of her tickets was drawn for a $50,000 prize.

“I have entered a bunch of other types of tickets and never won,” Vaughan said after claiming her prize. “I bought one of the $5 Roller Derby Crossword Scratch-its and entered it into the Second Chance and didn’t think much of it, then I got the email!”

Several Oregon Lottery Scratch-its games offer a second chance drawing, where players can enter the numbers of the non-winning tickets into a drawing for an additional top prize of that game. Once sales end for a particular Scratch-it game, there is a drawing for the second chance winner, who is contacted by email and letter.

Vaughan said she has had some extra time with the stay-at-home guidelines and has been entering her old tickets.

“I have been off work and haven’t been checking my email,” she said. “Now I am glad I did! I was expecting spam and got $50,000!”

Vaughan said she was going to purchase a travel trailer with her money, as her sister has some property where the family likes to camp and relax. She said she also likes to spend time camping in the Gorge and in the mountains of Washington state.

“It is going to be put to good use and now I will own it instead of borrowing for it,” she said. “I may even get a better truck to haul it. I’m waiting to see what happens first.”

Vaughan said she is living in Washington until she can get back to work as a bartender after the stay-at-home orders in Oregon and Washington are lifted.

Vaughan was one of several players who last week made appointments to pick up their prizes at the Oregon Lottery’s Salem Headquarters.

To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. If players have a winning ticket, they can fill out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery Claim a Prize page, and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form.

Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more, can make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem to claim their prize. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets.

Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 are advised to contact the Lottery office and schedule an appointment to claim their prize.