CLEVELAND — Abbigail Bugenske of Silverton in Hamilton County is $1 million richer after becoming the first big winner in Ohio's COVID vaccine lottery incentive known as Vax-a-Million. She's originally from Shaker Heights.
The first winner in the 12-17 age group who was given a four-year, full-ride college scholarship is Joseph Costello of Englewood in Montgomery County.
You can read more about both winners HERE.
The winners were revealed at 7:29 p.m. Wednesday. The announcement came two days after state officials pulled their names Monday afternoon. State officials say 2,758,490 people entered to win the $1 million. The reason the drawing isn't held live is so state officials have time to verify the winner's information -- including proof of vaccination.
The Vax-a-Million contest is open to all Ohioans ages 18 and older who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Participants must enter the contest voluntarily in order to be eligible for the $1 million prize. If you don't win the $1 million in this week's drawing, you still have four more chances. Entering your name once makes you eligible for all of the Vax-a-Million drawings.
The next four winners will be announced on the following dates:
- June 2
- June 9
- June 16
- June 23
Vaccinated Ohioans younger than 18 can enter to win a four-year, full-ride scholarship with room and board, tuition and books to any Ohio state college or university.
Here's how the drawing works: Each person who enters is assigned a unique number. A computer then randomly picks one of those numbers as the winner, according to Pat McDonald, who is the Ohio Lottery's director.