I bought a last minute lottery ticket and shoved it in my bag – I forgot all about it but ended up winning $1 million
LUCK was on the side of a lottery player who bought a jackpot-winning ticket on a whim at the grocery store.
The $1 million ticket sat unnoticed in her purse for days until she finally discovered her big win.
The Illinois woman, who requested to remain anonymous, picked up the life-changing Lucky Day Lotto ticket at a Jewel-Osco grocery store in Elmhurst – 18 miles from Chicago.
The player purchased the last-minute ticket after doing her round of grocery stopping.
“While on my way to visit my Aunt, I made a quick stop at Jewel to pick up a few groceries, and before heading out the door, I grabbed a quick pick Lucky Day Lotto ticket,” the winner told lottery officials.
“I actually put the ticket in my purse and forgot all about it.”
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The Illinois woman recalled the exact moment she found out she was $1 million richer.
A few days after the October 20 evening drawing, she spotted the ticket in her purse and checked if it was a winner on her lottery app.
“I immediately saw ‘$1,000,000’ on the screen and I was in total shock,” she recounted.
“I scanned the ticket one more time to double-check, and when it showed ‘$1,000,000’ again, I instantly started crying. I thought, ‘This is unbelievable.’”
The winning numbers were 2, 3, 24, 25, and 28, and the lucky player matched all five numbers to win the $1 million jackpot.
She plans to travel with her newfound fortune.
I went to the store to return carton of orange juice and came back with $315 million – I thought it was a mistake
“What I’m most excited about is being able to afford annual trips to my favorite place in the whole world: Ireland,” she shared.
“The landscape is stunning and I’m thrilled that I can now look forward to these trips every year.”
LUCKY DAY
The lucky player marks the ninth in Illinois to win $1 million or more through the Lucky Day Lotto game in 2024.
She beat the low winning odds of just one in over 1.2 million.
To play the state-run lottery game, players must pay $1 and select five numbers between one and 45.
Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?
Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?
The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.
Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.
Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.
Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.
Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you’ll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.
Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.
The jackpot prize is won by matching all five numbers, and players who match four, three, or two numbers win $200, $15, and $1, respectively.
Tickets are available in-store, online, or on the Illinois Lottery app.
Those who purchase their tickets in-store can pay an additional $1 per game to add EZmatch for a chance to win up to $5,000.
The Illinois-only game has drawings twice daily at 12:40 PM and 9:22 PM.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.
If you’re hoping to win the lottery one day, be sure to double-check your tickets.
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