Indiana Woman Hits $9.9 Million Hoosier Lotto Jackpot — and Splits It With Her Former Co-Workers

Winning the lottery is something most of us only daydream about — but for a small group of friends from Columbus, Indiana, that dream has finally come true. What makes this story even sweeter is not just the size of the jackpot, but the bond of friendship and loyalty that carried them through 11 years of playing together.

The Big Win They Never Saw Coming

It all happened on August 16, when Milly — the unofficial captain of the crew — purchased yet another Hoosier Lotto ticket at Jack’s Place, a gas station in Columbus. At the time, it felt like any other ticket in their long history of playing. What Milly and her lottery pool didn’t know was that this ticket would change their lives forever.

Two days later, while casually checking the ticket through the Hoosier Lottery app, Milly realized the numbers matched. At first, she thought the payout amount looked suspiciously high. It was too much to cash at a local store — which could only mean one thing: they had hit the jackpot. Her fingers must have been shaking when she dropped the now-famous message into their Facebook Messenger chat:

“OMG! Everyone, we hit it. We won!”

That winning ticket was worth a jaw-dropping $9.9 million.

How It All Started

This group’s story isn’t just about winning money. It’s about connection. Milly, Tony, Kendra, Jenny, and Roxanne first crossed paths years ago while working at a local factory. Over time, their jobs changed, life moved on, but their friendship stuck. What started as casual workplace chatter turned into a lasting bond — and a shared tradition of chasing lottery dreams together.

They even gave themselves a name: “Milly’s Lottery Pool.” Every week, without fail, they chipped in and bought tickets. It wasn’t just about the jackpot — it was about the excitement, the what-ifs, and the fun of imagining together what they’d do if luck ever found them.

When the News Spread

The way each member discovered the win is a story in itself:

• Tony was just about to eat dinner when his phone lit up. He says his meal suddenly became impossible to swallow after realizing the group had actually won.

• Kendra thought the Messenger call from the group was just a “butt dial.” She didn’t believe it was real until she saw the proof for herself.

• Jenny had literally just seen a Facebook post announcing a winning ticket was sold in Columbus and thought, “I wish that was me.” Hours later, it actually was. She kept the secret from her grown kids for a whole week, only breaking the news in person so they could celebrate together.

• Roxanne was traveling with her family, about to set sail on an Alaskan cruise when the message came through. For a brief moment, she considered skipping the trip so they could claim the prize right away. Ultimately, she enjoyed her vacation while her friends waited back home.

Claiming the Prize

The group finally came together on August 28 at the Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment Office in downtown Indianapolis. There, with big smiles and probably a few nervous laughs, they were handed the oversized check.

Instead of taking the full jackpot over time, they chose the cash option — a payout of $4,682,171. Split five ways, that’s nearly a million dollars each.

Plans for the Future

So what do you do when you suddenly find yourself a millionaire? For this tight-knit crew, the answers are a mix of practical and joyful:

• One member dreams of buying a brand-new car.

• Another is ready to put money toward a new home.

• Several are focusing on savings and securing their future.

The common thread, though, is relief. They all echoed the same feeling — this win lifts a weight off their shoulders. For people who’ve been working hard for years, that sense of financial freedom is priceless.

The Face Behind the Pool

Interestingly, Milly isn’t just the group leader — she also runs a small YouTube channel called “Oldladyscratcher,” where she shares her passion for scratch-off tickets and lottery fun. Now she has the ultimate win to add to her story. Imagine her next video!

A Win That Resonates

Sarah M. Taylor, the executive director of the Hoosier Lottery, personally met the group when they came to collect their prize. She summed up what so many Hoosiers feel about this victory:

“We love when Hoosiers play Indiana’s hometown favorite jackpot game, and we especially love it when Hoosiers win. The fact that a group of longtime friends and co-workers from the Columbus area have won this jackpot together adds an extra layer of excitement.”

And she’s right. Winning alone is one thing — but sharing it with people who’ve been by your side through the ups and downs of life makes it all the more special.

A Historic Year for the Hoosier Lotto

This isn’t the first big win for the Hoosier Lottery in 2025. Earlier this year:

• On March 12, a ticket worth $42.5 million was sold, marking the largest jackpot in Indiana history and the third-largest in the U.S. at the time.

• Just ten days later, on March 22, another lucky player scored $1.2 million.

Now, Milly’s Lottery Pool joins that prestigious list, with a story that will be remembered for years in the Columbus community.

More Than Just Money

What really stands out in this tale is how friendship and persistence paid off. For 11 years, they stuck together, pooling their dollars and chasing a dream that many would have given up on long ago. Every week, every ticket, every little joke about “when we win” kept the bond alive.

And when the jackpot finally came, they didn’t hesitate to share it equally. That loyalty, built from a factory floor years ago, turned into one of the most heartwarming lottery wins Indiana has ever seen.

Key Takeaways

• 🎉 $9.9 Million Jackpot: Won by a group of five friends in Columbus, Indiana.

• 🤝 11 Years of Teamwork: The group, once factory co-workers, played together for over a decade.

• 💬 “OMG! We hit it!” Milly’s now-famous message that changed everything.

• 💵 Cash Option Chosen: $4.68 million split five ways — nearly $1 million each.

• 🌟 Friendship First: Proof that sometimes, sharing the dream makes the win even sweeter.