'Sopranos' star threatens to sue lottery

Rex Features

Sopranos star Vinny Vella has threatened to sue New York lottery officials over a rejected ticket.

The actor, 61, thought he had won the $5 million [£2.5 million] jackpot after finding what he thought were two sevens on his scratch card.

However, officials rejected his card, saying one of the sevens was actually a 17. The bar code and security features on the ticket also indicated that it was not a winner.

Lottery official John Charlson claimed that there was a fault with the suppliers who printed the tickets, meaning that the number one only appeared faintly.

"This is a rare occurrence," he said.

However, Vella - who played Jimmy Petrille on the US drama - said he is unhappy with the excuse and is looking into legal action.

"I'm going to put the lawyers on it," he told the New York Post. "Without a doubt. Without a doubt. I will do everything I can until these people are down on their knees."

He added: "If it's a misprint, it's not my fault. You know what I look like after telling everybody I won? I look like some big ass."