GREENSBORO, NC -- Ralph Havis may be one of the luckiest men in Greensboro!
The North Carolina Education Lottery says Havis, who owns a local restaurant called Beef Burger, has won his third big lottery prize after playing 100X The Cash scratch off game.\
This is Havis’ third big lottery win in two years, and the second in less than a month! This time, he won a huge prize!
"I am thrilled to announce that Mr. Havis has won $1 Million," said a spokesperson for the NC Education Lottery.
Havis won $1 million at the same store where he won the last two times.
When asked what his secret is, Havis' answer was simple: "I just try to get the winning cards," said Havis. Havis.
Havis says he coudn't believe his eyes when he scratched the ticket.
"I scratched it and said $1 million on it and I shook it and I said 'oh my God,'" said Havis. "I said 'It doesn't look like I'll be sleeping this morning!'"
Havis didn't take any chances losing the winning ticket.
"I did take the $1 million dollar card to bed with me," he said.
But Havis doesn't take any credit for the 3 wins.
He says his late wife, Alma led him to the winning ticket from Heaven.
"Thank you Alma and God! Thank you two," said a teary eyed Havis. "Hopefully one day I can see you again."
The question now is what to buy?
A new house? New car? A boat? A Plane?
Nope -- not for Havis.
He's only got one thing on his mind.
"I might buy some more hamburgers with it," said Havis.
Havis says he just loves to sell hamburgers and has no plans to retire any time soon.
Havis says he wouldn't quit even if he won $50 million!
"This is my whole life," said Havis. "I've been here ever since I was 18 and now I'm 73. I've been doing this my whole life. It's all I ever do and I like it. I like meeting the people. A lot of these people grew up here. They came in here as children and now they are bringing their children."
In the end of April, Havis won $150,000 on a scratch off ticket. He attributed that win to his wife, who passed away in January. "It was something that me and her always had done together. It's hard. It makes me think of her more when I am in there scratching the tickets," said Havis. "A lot of times, if I am by myself, it makes me cry. So, it helps me.
It's their love for the games and for each other, that has Ralph thinking she helped him win from above. After the April win, Havis took home a little more than $103,000 after taxes. He gave all his employees at Beef Burger a bonus.
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