Alabama man wins $450K on Ga. Lottery ticket

An Alabama man went back home extra happy after winning $450,000 from a Georgia lottery instant ticket.

Matthew Spraggins, of Phenix City, Ala., bought his lucky Big Money scratch-off ticket at Smoke Rise Chevron, at 288 Powers Ferry Road, in Marietta. The ticket cost $5. Not a bad investment and definitely worth the trip.

Meanwhile, an Atlanta entrepreneur also won $450,000 playing the Georgia Lottery’s KENO game.

Michael Rutledge, 32, bought his ticket at Kroger, 3871 Peachtree Road S.E. in Atlanta.

Rutledge claimed his prize March 19 at Georgia Lottery headquarters in Atlanta.

Using a combination of his own numbers, the lucky winner purchased a nine spot for 10 consecutive draws and selected the multiplier option to increase his windfall.

He opted to wait a few hours before checking the results of the drawing on his cellphone.

“I was very excited. I called a friend, my mom and my brother,” Rutledge said. “I like the experience of winning. It’s an adrenaline rush.”