Greencastle great-grandpa hits $5 million on scratch-off

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Talk about starting the new year off with a bang!

Seth Collins of Greencastle has started off 2014 with some major excitement and the comforting prospect of financial security.

Seth, Patty Collins accept a big check from Hoosier Lottery Commission.

In just the first three weeks of the year, Hoosier Lottery players have won prizes totaling more than $32 million. And the biggest of those wins to date belongs to Collins, who recently won $5 million on a Hoosier Lottery scratch-off game, the $100 Million Cash Extravaganza.

He and his wife Patty have opted for the $3,162,046 payout, according to the Lottery Commission.

The seventy-something Hoosier said he thought the lottery win might finally be the motivation he and his wife needed to quit their full-time jobs at the Asbury Towers Retirement Community cafeteria.

"We'll probably put our two-weeks notice in," Seth told Lottery officials.

A father of 10, grandfather of 26 and great-grandfather of 45, Collins purchased his winning ticket at the Speedway station at Indianapolis Road and Judson Drive in Greencastle.

Collins, and a slew of other big million-dollar and multi-million dollar January wins follow up a big December that also saw a number of players win significant Hoosier Lottery prizes. Players won more than $35 million in prizes the last two weeks of December.

Collins isn't even the only big-money Putnam County lottery winner since Jan. 1.

Bobby Meek of Cloverdale won $10,000 by playing Powerball at the Cloverdale Marathon on Jan. 3, the Lottery also reported..

Since the Hoosier Lottery's inception in 1989, through April 30, 2013, the Hoosier Lottery has contributed $517.2 million to police and firefighter pension funds, $705.1 million to teachers' retirement, and $3 billion to the Build Indiana Fund.

Retailers have earned $1 billion in commissions during that time. In addition, Hoosier Lottery players have won $9.2 billion and retailers have earned $1 billion in commissions and bonuses.

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  • Congratulations! Such a deserving couple!

    -- Posted by hometowngirl626 on Wed, Jan 22, 2014, at 7:15 PM
  • CONGRATULATIONS! I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE SUCH A GREAT COUPLE WIN. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by lhmh on Wed, Jan 22, 2014, at 7:44 PM
  • A couple that has found happiness and giving over the years has come around to them. Best wishes and enjoy with you large family

    -- Posted by Earl24 on Thu, Jan 23, 2014, at 10:34 AM
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