An Illinois Lottery player has staked his claim on a $1.1 million Lucky Day Lotto jackpot. Dubbed "My Hole-In-One" by himself, the winner approached the Illinois Lottery Prize Center in Rockford to present his winning ticket, according to details from a WGN-TV report. Initially skeptical of the win, believing the notification to be another internet swindle, it wasn't until a round of golf that realization dawned. "I received an email saying that I won, but with so many email scams out there, I thought it was fake," he said. The authenticity confirmed, emotion swept over him: "Tears came to my eyes. It was incredibly moving."
The winner's numbers came up aces in the midday drawing on July 27 with the combination 14, 22, 23, 32, and 36 lining up to deliver the seven-figure prize. With plans to bank most of the windfall for unforeseen future needs, the winner mentioned in a statement obtained by CBS News Chicago, "We're both retired and live simply, so we'll keep most of it in the bank for a rainy day." A touch of indulgence is on the cards, though, with a possible vacation to Florida or California and a prospective kitchen remodel his wife has her eyes on.
The Lucky Day Lotto is a game unique to Illinois, offering participants two chances a day to score a minimum jackpot of $100,000. For those wanting a shot at the next big win, tickets are available for purchase at retail locations, online, and through the Illinois Lottery app. Players must be at least 18 years old to play, as reminded by the Lottery officials.
This win was just one of the recent high-dollar payouts, with another online player bagging a $1,763,224 jackpot in the Cash Castle FastPlay game earlier in the week. With such significant prizes changing hands, the thrill of the draw keeps countless Illinoisans coming back for their own potential “hole-in-one.”
