First-time lottery play results in ‘life-changing’ win for Kentucky preschool teacher

A preschool teacher in Northern Kentucky plans to buy herself a new car and further her education after winning more than $178,000 on a first-time Kentucky Lottery play.

McKenzie Florence of Ft. Thomas downloaded the Kentucky Lottery’s mobile app on a whim after seeing an ad, she told lottery officials according to a Friday news release.

Her first game was Aug. 13, when she bought an instant play online. Two weeks went by, and Aug. 26, Florence learned she’d won what she describes as a “life changing” prize — specifically the $178,919.05 jackpot for the Bankroll Jackpot game .

Florence hit the button and the prize amount popped up, but she didn’t think much about it, telling lottery officials it just felt so unreal. Later that day, she got an email from the Kentucky Lottery confirming she’d won big.

Florence’s mother didn’t believe it either when she heard the news.

“I made her call the lottery twice this week just to make sure it was real,” her mother said. “Until we were sitting here with [a lottery official], we 100% didn’t believe it.”

Aug. 30, Florence drove to Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville, a requirement for prizes of this size, and collected her check. After taxes, she took home $128,821.72.

The preschool teacher isn’t the only big Kentucky Lottery winner recently from Northern Kentucky, in late August, the organization announced a Henry County man won $225,000 on a scratch-off ticket.

If you or someone you know has a problem gambling, help is available at 1-800-522-4700.

Do you have a question about the lottery in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.