10 lottery wins that nearly didn’t happen
Fortune often strikes when least expected, as showcased by numerous stories of impromptu decisions leading to lottery wins.
Emotional triggers, such as memories of a late sister prompting a man to change his routine, or random acts like a Lyft driver spending a tip on a ticket, highlight the unpredictable paths to jackpot prizes.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
NO. 1: MEMORY OF LATE SISTER MAKES MAN SWITCH HIS MARYLAND LOTTERY ROUTINE. IT PAID OFF
“I never in the world won this much money.” | Published March 15, 2024 | Read Full Story
NO. 2: LYFT DRIVER USES TIP FROM PASSENGER ON LOTTERY TICKET — AND WINS LIFE-CHANGING PRIZE
The Virginia Beach man said he became “a little light-headed” when he saw how much he won. | Published April 5, 2024 | Read Full Story
NO. 3: SINGLE DAD GOES TO STORE FOR SALAD AND LEAVES WITH HUGE LOTTERY WIN. ‘DON’T PASS OUT’
The man said he rarely plays because buying food is more important. | Published April 8, 2024 | Read Full Story
NO. 4: MAN’S STOP FOR TONIC WATER LEADS TO MASSIVE LOTTERY WIN, MASSACHUSETTS OFFICIALS SAY
After the man cashed a winning ticket, he bought five more, one of which scored him the game’s top prize. | Published March 4, 2024 | Read Full Story
NO. 5: LOTTERY WINNER FINDS ‘PERFECT SPOT’ TO HIDE MARYLAND TICKET. THEN, HE CAN’T FIND IT
The man nearly forgot about it until his wife reminded him, Maryland lottery officials said. | Published July 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 6: MOM’S ‘ADVENTUROUS NATURE’ PAYS OFF BIG IN MARYLAND LOTTERY. ‘IT JUST STOOD OUT TO ME’
The woman took home the game’s top prize. | Published May 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 7: MOM’S INTUITION LEADS TO DAUGHTER’S LOTTERY WIN. ‘BET SHE’LL LISTEN TO ME MORE OFTEN’
“She didn’t even want to play the numbers that day,” the Maryland woman’s mother said. | Published May 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 8: PRESCHOOL TEACHER STOPS FOR COFFEE AND A LOTTERY TICKET — THEN WINS BIG IN WASHINGTON
She spent $10 on the game. | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner
NO. 9: WOMAN’S BROKEN DOWN CAR HELPS HER WIN BIG LOTTERY PRIZE IN MARYLAND. ‘LOOK AT THIS!’
The woman and her husband were “so surprised.” | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner
NO. 10: MAN FINDS $10 IN POCKET AND SPENDS IT ON WINNING LOTTERY TICKET. ‘DIDN’T BELIEVE IT’
The Maryland man stopped for gas when he found extra cash. | Published May 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.