TOPEKA, Kan. — Paul Miller enjoys playing Kansas Lottery instant scratch tickets, but he’s never enjoyed one quite as much as the ticket he purchased a week ago.

“I went to the store to buy cigarettes and decided to pick up a $5 Franklin’s Fortunes ticket while I was there,” the 37-year-old Hutchinson resident said. “I went back to my vehicle to scratch the ticket and was shocked when I realized I had won $25,000!”

Miller told Lottery officials he has been playing lottery games since he was 18, but the most he’s won until now was $500.

“I don’t really have a strategy for playing,” Miller said. “It’s whatever catches my eye at the time. Usually, I play $5, $10 or $20 instant tickets.”

A lifelong Hutchinson resident, Miller has worked for Lowen Sign Company in Hutchinson for 12 years. He said he will use his prize money for two things: paying off bills and a down payment on a new vehicle.

“The vehicle I have right now gets about 15 miles per gallon,” he said. “I had to wait to get paid before I could afford the gas to drive to Topeka to claim my ticket.”

Luckily, it was well worth the trip. Miller said, “I never thought I’d win this much!”

Miller purchased his lucky ticket at the Yesway Store, located at 901 E. 11th Ave. in Hutchinson. There are two $25,000 top prizes remaining in the Franklin’s Fortunes game, as well as tens of thousands of other cash prizes.

The Kansas Lottery reminds players to submit all their winning and non-winning tickets in the Kansas Lottery PlayOn® Players Loyalty program to earn points for drawing entries and a chance to win cash and other prizes!