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Kansas City Man Wins $1,000, Feels Like a Million

Michael Long has been a little down on his luck, but he feels things are starting to turn around for him.  The 38-year-old Kansas City man has been unemployed for several months and had been relying on help from his parents during the rough stretch.  He recently got a new apartment in the city and was moving some of his belongings on Feb. 13 when he got a bit of good news.  Long stopped at 7-Eleven, 3150 Gillham Plaza in Kansas City, and picked up two Missouri Lottery Scratchers tickets.  While scratching them in the van with his father, he discovered that one of them was a $1,000 winner.
    
"My dad said, ’You just won $100,’" recalled Long.  "I had the cash symbol, which said ’win all 20 prizes,’ and I had $50 in each spot.  I had to add it all up again and said, ’Wait a minute, this is $1,000.’  It was pretty cool."
   
According to Long, he had won up to $500 on Scratchers games before, but this was his biggest win and he was happy to share the news.  Plans for the money include furnishing his new apartment and sharing a little of the win with his family. 
   
"I’ve had it rough the last six months, so this is kind of a blessing," added Long. 
   
Long’s winning ticket was a "$250,000 Mega Cash" Scratchers ticket.  The $10 game officially began on Jan. 31, 2007, and features a top prize of $250,000.  One thousand dollars is the fourth prize available in "$250,000 Mega Cash," and in addition to a number of smaller prizes, several large prizes of $10,000, $20,000 and $250,000 are still available.