Illinois Man Wins $1M Prize on $5 Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket

An Illinois man received what he called the best birthday gift he could have imagined after a $5 scratch-off ticket turned into a $1M lottery win, according to the Illinois Lottery.

Steve, of Kewanee, won the life-changing prize after purchasing a $5 Onyx Instant Ticket from Beck's North.

“This win came just in time,” Steve said. “I’ll tell you what—this is the best birthday gift I’ve ever gotten.” [wqad]

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The Illinois Lottery said Steve's big win almost never happened. Weeks earlier, he had been choosing between two different $5 scratch-off tickets. He bought one, but it turned out to be a losing ticket. Meanwhile, a coworker who purchased the other ticket won $10,000.

Later, Steve returned to the same store and told his coworker about the story, the coworker jokingly asked whether the next ticket he bought would be the winner. Steve said he took that as a sign and decided to purchase another $5 ticket.

“That decision made me a millionaire,” he said. [Illinois Lottery]

Steve realized he won the jackpot while he was at home watching TV. Using a vintage coin that he considered to be a lucky token, he scratched off the ticket and then used the Illinois Lotter yapp to verify the $1M win.

His lucky token led him to this million dollar prize!

Steve plans to use the winnings toward some home improvement projects and hopes to buy a new car. His biggest goal is to spend more time with family, especially his son who lives in Arizona.

What's the biggest prize you've ever won playing the lottery?