Local Man Wins $3 Million Pennsylvania Lottery Prize

UNION CITY — Sometimes changing a routine can lead to an unexpected result.

For Dave Sabol Jr., 57, of Erie County, choosing a different Pennsylvania Lottery machine at his usual store led to a $3 million prize.

Sabol was presented with a commemorative check Wednesday at the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Erie office after winning the top prize on the $3,000,000 Golden Ticket Scratch-Off.

Sabol purchased the $30 ticket Aug. 7 at Country Fair, 76 North Main St. in Union City. He said he normally uses the same Lottery machine when he visits the store, but another customer was using it that day.

He decided to use another machine.

“I usually play the same machine, but somebody was on it, so I just went to the other one,” Sabol said. “I scratched it and it said $3 million. I thought, ‘Oh my God, this can’t be right!'”

Sabol immediately told his wife, Joan, about the win. Although Joan verified the ticket using the Pennsylvania Lottery Official App, Sabol took it back to Country Fair to have the prize confirmed.

The retailer confirmed the ticket was a $3 million winner and will receive a $10,000 selling bonus.

Sabol kept the ticket secure over the weekend while deciding what to do next. He first contacted a friend who is a lawyer, who advised him to consult a financial planner.

The win also marked a major change for Sabol. After more than 35 years working in a heavy industrial machine shop, he decided to retire.

Sabol and Joan plan to use the winnings to build their dream home and travel throughout the United States.

“I haven’t been able to wipe the smile off my face,” Sabol said.

Pennsylvania Revenue Secretary Pat Browne congratulated Sabol and said the Lottery supports programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians, including transportation and care services, prescription assistance, senior centers and meals.

Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko also congratulated Sabol, noting that his decision to use a different machine resulted in a winning ticket.

“$3,000,000 Golden Ticket” is a $30 Scratch-Off game with top prizes of $3 million. Scratch-Off tickets are distributed at random, meaning the Lottery and retailers do not know where winning tickets will be sold until a prize has been claimed.

Lottery prizes of more than $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding.