Springfield Man Wins $1M Top Prize In New Year's Millionaire Raffle

SPRINGFIELD, VA — A Springfield man won the $1 million top prize in Virginia’s New Year’s Millionaire Raffle after buying several tickets at a Safeway on Old Keene Mill Road in Burke.

Solomon Sebehat, the $1 million winner, told Virginia Lottery officials that he plays the lottery for fun. “If I get it, I get it,” he said.

For the New Year’s Millionaire, Sebehat got it in a big way — his ticket #491685 bought at the Safeway at 9596 Old Keene Mill Road turned out to be one of the five top prize winners in the Jan. 1 drawing.

“I was just shocked,” he told Virginia Lottery officials as he redeemed his winning ticket. “I just never believe I am a lucky person to win this much in my life.”

Sebehat said he plans to use his winnings to pay off his mortgage, save for retirement and take care of his family.

The other four million-dollar winning tickets were bought in Danville, Henrico, Midlothian and Woodbridge. Seven tickets won $100,000 each. They were bought in Blacksburg, Chantilly, Chesapeake, Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Midlothian and Woodstock.

All Virginia Lottery profits go to K-12 education in Virginia. Sebehat lives in Fairfax County, which received nearly $48.7 million in lottery funds for K-12 education last fiscal year. In fiscal year 2022, the lottery raised more than $779 million for K-12 education, making up approximately 10 percent of Virginia’s total K-12 school budget.

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