Bridgeport Resident Recounts Winning Huge CT Lottery Prize

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport man won a $1 million prize on a Connecticut Lottery scratch ticket, officials said.

Shelley Suttles said he bought the winning “Ultimate 7s” ticket while running errands at Grand Package Store on Main Street.

"I almost passed out," Suttles said in a statement released by the lottery. "I scratched off the box and saw a million dollars. I’ve never seen a million dollars on a ticket before. I picked up the phone and told my sister, and she started screaming. She couldn’t believe it either."

Suttles, a regular lottery player, said he plans to use the winnings to pay off bills and donate to his church.

The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, according to the lottery.

It is the final top prize awarded in the Ultimate 7s game, which has now ended. Remaining winning tickets must be validated by March 29, 2026, lottery officials said.

Suttles is no stranger to lottery luck. Earlier this summer, he won $100,000 in the Cash5 drawing.

Overall odds of Ultimate 7s are 1 in 3.47; Overall odds of Cash5 are 1 in 72.1. Overall odds of Cash5 with Kicker are 1 in 12.1. Purchasers must be 18 or older. Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org.