Accidental Lotto ticket wins man $9.2 million!

An Illinois Lottery player is thanking his lucky stars after a frustrating trip to the grocery store turned into a $9.2 million prize.

The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, never intended to play Lotto, but a malfunctioning machine had other plans.

He explained, “It was a normal day, just like any other. I was picking up groceries at Jewel, and on my way out the door, I decided to buy a lottery ticket.” 

Little did he know this whim would change his life forever:

I actually wanted to buy a ticket for a different game, and the machine got stuck on Lotto. I was a bit frustrated. I said, 'What is going on? The machine won't give me the right game!' So I decided I may as well buy the Lotto ticket.

That "mistake" turned out to be a golden one. The ticket purchased at the Jewel-Osco on West Lake Street in Addison matched all six numbers in the August 24, 2024 Lotto drawing, securing the lucky winner $9.2 million.

The winning numbers were 2-15-21-29-42-44. Jewel-Osco, the lucky retailer that sold the winning ticket, will also receive a bonus of $92,000, or one percent of the prize amount.

This win marks the second-largest Lotto jackpot of 2024 in Illinois. The top prize this year went to a player in Park Ridge who won $10.4 million in February.

A game of chance and millionaire dreams

Lotto is a popular Illinois lottery game that offers players the chance to win life-changing jackpots. With drawings held three times a week and multiple ways to win, Lotto has captured the attention of many players across the state.

Key features

• Drawings: Lotto drawings take place on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings at 9:22 p.m. CT.
• Ticket cost: Each Lotto ticket costs $2.
• Ways to win: Players have three chances to win on each ticket: the Jackpot, Lotto Million 1, and Lotto Million 2.
• Extra Shot: For an extra $1, players can add Extra Shot to their ticket for a chance to increase non-jackpot winnings.

What to do when you win

• Sign the back: Immediately sign the back of your winning ticket to protect your claim.
• Claim your prize: The claim process varies depending on the prize amount. Smaller prizes can often be claimed at a retail location, while larger prizes may require a visit to a Claim Center or filing a claim by mail or electronically.
• Claim deadline: Prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing date.
• Payment options: Winners of major prizes like the Jackpot, Lotto Million 1, or Lotto Million 2 can choose between a lump sum payment or an annuity. The lump sum option must be claimed within 60 days of the drawing.

Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has funded public education across the state, contributing over $24 billion to the Common School Fund. Enjoy the Illinois Lottery, and please play responsibly.