In an astonishing twist of fate, a Virginia woman with a penchant for lottery games has turned her luck into a fortune, becoming a two-time lottery winner. This remarkable story follows her most recent win of $1 million from a scratch-off ticket, a remarkable complement to her previous $100,000 windfall from playing a different lottery game just a few years earlier. These details emerged from a press release issued by the Virginia Lottery capturing this stroke of serendipity.
Gayla Guishard’s journey to becoming a millionaire took a fortuitous turn on a seemingly ordinary Friday night. During a casual stop at the Race Way station in Isle of Wight County, roughly 18 miles north of Suffolk, Guishard decided to try her hand at the Virginia Millions scratch-off game. The decision to engage in her occasional flutter proved to be life-changing. After scratching her way to the grand prize, Guishard sought confirmation of her win from the gas station owners. The revelation of the win prompted an uproar of excitement, as recounted by the elated winner. “I just kind of screamed!” said Guishard, recalling the moment her fortune turned. “We were all in there screaming!”
The eruption of joy was so intense that it drew the attention of customers who were outside. Some flocked inside the store, eager to find out if something was amiss, only to be met with cryptic silence. “We said, ‘Nothing!’, and we got really quiet,” Guishard divulged, adding a hint of mystery to the already thrilling event.
The Virginia Lottery outlined the options available to Guishard. She could choose the full $1 million prize to be received in annual installments over a span of 30 years or opt for a one-time lump sum of $571,000 before taxes. In addition to the player’s winnings, the Race Way station where the ticket was purchased will be rewarded with a $10,000 bonus from the lottery.
Guishard, no stranger to the giddy heights of lottery success, had previously snagged a $100,000 prize in the Virginia’s New Year’s Millionaire Raffle back in 2021, suggesting an extraordinary streak of good fortune. The Virginia Millions game, which bestowed upon her the latest bounty, boasts overall odds of winning at 1 in 3.5. However, the odds of claiming the top $1 million prize stand at a far less probable 1 in 612,000, making Guishard’s win all the more remarkable.
Aspiring lottery hopefuls must visit local authorized retailers which might include convenience stores, gas stations, or grocery stores to purchase a ticket, with a handful of states also offering online ticket sales. Furthermore, Jackpocket, a digital lottery courier service, facilitates the purchase of lottery tickets via phone or home computer in various U.S. states and territories, catering to the contemporary convenience sought by many players today.
However, it’s worth noting that with any form of gambling, including the lottery, there are resources available for those who may need assistance with gambling issues. Organizations provide confidential help, emphasizing the importance of responsible play and the potential risks associated with gambling.
As for Gayla Guishard, the Virginia Lottery’s press release captures a moment of extraordinary personal triumph. With two major wins now under her belt, she stands as a testament to the unpredictable and joyous nature of lottery luck.
