Lottery player wins huge prize — but no one believes him. ‘You’re seeing things’
A man was left speechless when he “took a chance” on a lottery ticket — and won big.
He silently exited the Chicago gas station as if everything was normal, but it wasn’t. The man was holding a $1 million ticket, Illinois Lottery officials said in an April 21 news release.
The “newly minted millionaire” eagerly called his wife to tell her the good news, but she was skeptical, he told officials.
“You’re crazy, you’re seeing things — I don’t believe you,” she told her husband.
The winner’s kids were equally doubtful, the man told lottery officials, so the man scanned the ticket to prove his million-dollar win was real.
“ ... Everyone’s mouths just dropped,” he told officials. “Then came the screaming, crying, and jumping up and down in joy.”
It all started with the green $10,000,000 Bankroll ticket stocked at a Speedway gas station that attracted the man.
“My favorite color is green because Saint Jude—my favorite Apostle—wore a green robe,” the man said. “I saw the green scratch-off ticket, so I took a chance — and boy, did it pay off big time.”
Now, the winner will be spending a portion on bills and financial matters, but also plans to buy VIP tickets to see the Chicago Bulls, he told officials.
“My son and I are huge fans, but it’s been over eight years since we’ve been to a live game. This will be our first time in the VIP section—and probably the last—a special treat for both of us,” the winner said.
The retailer will also receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
This story was originally published April 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Lottery player wins huge prize — but no one believes him. ‘You’re seeing things’."
