Leesburg Business Owner Won $1M In New Year's Raffle From VA Lottery

LEESBURG, VA — Scott Nalevanko buys New Year's Millionaire Raffle tickets each year, he told Virginia Lottery officials this week. He gives them out as Christmas presents but keeps some for himself.

This year, one of the tickets Nalevanko bought at a Leesburg 7-Eleven was a lucky winner. When he saw that the winning ticket was sold on East Market Street, he started checking his numbers.

"I found it!” he told Virginia Lottery officials. “When I saw that address, it had to be!”

Nalevanko, who owns a small business, was one of five $1 million top-prize winners in this year's raffle. The other lucky tickets were sold in Stafford, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Arlington.

Initially, Nalevanko was in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me," he told lottery officials.

In addition to the $1 million prizes, seven tickets won $100,000 each.

All Virginia Lottery profits go to K-12 education in Virginia. In fiscal year 2023, the Virginia Lottery raised more than $867 million for K-12 education, making up about 10 percent of Virginia’s total K-12 school budget.

Last fiscal year, Loudoun County Public Schools received $23.7 million in lottery funds.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, the Virginia Council on Problem Gaming provides resources to help. Their hotline can be reached at 1-888-532-3500.