A resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has won a remarkable $1 million in a recent scratch-off lottery, leading him to plan a memorable trip for his grandchildren. Chris Moppin, aged 59, revealed his life-changing win after purchasing a ticket from his regular store, Cue-Nique, located at 505 Strawberry Square.
Upon scratching the ticket, Moppin initially struggled to grasp the significance of the numbers. “When I scratched the ticket, I could not comprehend the numbers,” he explained to the Pennsylvania Lottery. It wasn’t until he arrived home and examined it again that the realization struck him; he had indeed won the grand prize. “I kept scanning it over and over again because I could not believe it. It was overwhelming and such a nice surprise,” Moppin added.
On March 6, 2024, Pennsylvania Lottery officials celebrated Moppin’s win with a presentation of a commemorative check at Cue-Nique, the same store where he purchased the winning ticket. Present at the event were Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne and Cue-Nique owner Anne Marie Jacoby.
Moppin has been a dedicated employee of the Harrisburg Senators, a minor league baseball team, since 1987, currently serving as the clubhouse manager. His responsibilities include ensuring that players have meals and laundry taken care of. “I’m 59, so it is time to start taking it easy, and put some money away for a nest egg, and travel a little,” he said. Moppin expressed his intention to take his five grandchildren to Disney World, a long-held dream that the lottery win has now made possible.
His family had a mix of disbelief and joy upon hearing the news of his victory. “When I first told them I won, they didn’t believe me,” Moppin recounted, noting that he had to convince his three daughters and two sons of the good fortune.
Anne Marie Jacoby reflected on the significance of the win for her store. “This is the second winning ticket worth $1 million we have sold in the past 20 years. We are a mom-and-pop shop that has been here for 30 years, and it is wonderful to see one of our longtime customers win such a life-changing prize,” she said. The publicity surrounding the win has also benefited her business.
Drew Svitko, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Lottery, joined in the celebrations, stating, “On behalf of the Pennsylvania Lottery, I would like to congratulate Chris on this exciting win. After decades of dedication to his community and his team, it is wonderful to see him celebrate a grand slam win of his own. We hope this prize helps him create lasting memories with his family.”
Moppin’s story serves as a testament to the joy and opportunities that lottery wins can bring to individuals and their families, marking a new chapter in his life that includes dreams of travel and relaxation. As he considers an early retirement, the lottery win has opened doors for Moppin, providing him with choices he looks forward to exploring in the coming years.
