Bayville Couple Wins $1 Million in New Jersey Lottery Scratch-Off

There's hope for us all.

A young Bayville couple are much better off financially today, after they bought a winning $1 million scratch-off lottery ticket at the Moran BP gas station on Route 9 in Bayville a few days ago.

It wasn't the first time the couple - who asked not to be identified - had purchased a $10 ticket for the $100,000,000 Spectacular series in the past. But they never hit so big before, the woman said.

After the clerk verified the numbers, "that's when we started jumping up and down," she said.

They can opt to receive the money in a one-time $650,000 payout, or in annuity payments of $1 million over a period of years, said Judith L. Drucker, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Lottery Commission.

"I think she was pretty happy," Drucker said. "I know I would be. But lottery personnel are not allowed to play."

While the Spectacular series has a hefty price tag of $10, the odds of winning a prize are one in four, Druker said.

There are still nine $1 million tickets floating around out there somewhere, along with 117 $5,000 tickets and 423 $1,000 prizes. Players can also win prizes of $20, $30, $50, $100 and $500.

For more information on games offered by the Lottery Commission, go to the website at www.njlottery.net.

Have you ever won a decent amount buying lottery tickets? Tell us in the comments section!