Volgograd Native Wins Million on 20-Ruble Ticket

A native of Volgograd, Galina Vepritskaya, won one million rubles (about $11,000) after buying a lottery ticket for 20 rubles (about $0.22). Fortune smiled on the woman in the 13,120th draw of the state lottery “Ostatki Sladki” (“Leftovers Are Sweet”).

According to the press service of Stoloto, the woman sincerely believed in her luck and regularly bought tickets through the lottery’s mobile app. She dreamed most of all of winning the “New Year’s Billion,” but the big prize came from the lottery she least expected.

— I chose this lottery periodically, but my favorites are “Russkoye Loto,” “Okhota,” and “Sportloto ‘4 out of 20.’” One day I opened the mobile app, selected and bought a ticket for the “Ostatki Sladki” lottery for 20 rubles, and soon an SMS notification from Stoloto about the win came, — the lottery winner said. — I think a winning code doesn’t just arrive for no reason. I opened the app, and there was such a sum! Now, of course, I love this lottery very much too. I sent a screenshot of the screen with the win to my son, and he asked: “Is this really true, Mom?” And I told him: “Yes, let’s go for the billion!”

Galina was born and lived most of her life in Volgograd. Several years ago she moved to Moscow, where she works as an elementary school teacher.

“The woman’s main passion has become Korean culture: she studies the country’s mentality, economy, and education system, and has mastered the basics of the Korean language, — Stoloto clarified details about the winner. — A special place in her life is occupied by K-pop music: songs by Korean artists helped her get through a difficult period. Galina follows the work of her favorite artists, watches dramas and anime, and dreams of visiting South Korea. The winner plans to use the prize money to pay off existing debts.”