A quick stop for water on the way to the gym turned into a $2 million shock for recent retiree Bryan Crandall. He says he walked into a corner store for a drink, scratched a $20 Instant Prize Crossword ticket, and initially thought he had won a modest amount before realizing the payout was much bigger. Crandall says the windfall will help him buy a home in Houston so he can live closer to his children.
A lucky detour
According to The Sacramento Bee, Crandall bought the winning ticket at a Nite Mini Market in East Hollywood and only discovered the full value after he went back to the clerk to double-check the numbers. The Bee also notes a recent streak of big Scratchers wins in Southern California: Lydia Alvarez of Ontario claimed a separate $2 million Instant Prize Crossword prize, while Elias Hernandez and Adan Castillo Nares each took home $1 million on other Scratchers games. The report adds that ticket sales benefit public education in California, a point lottery officials routinely highlight after headline-grabbing wins.
How this Crossword hits different
The Instant Prize Crossword is a $20 Scratchers game that carries a $2,000,000 top prize and includes secret multipliers, and the game's official page breaks down the odds and prize inventory. The California Lottery lists all prize tiers and, at its last update, showed several of the game's top prizes still unclaimed. Lottery officials also point out that retailers who sell major winning tickets receive bonuses, and that ticket revenue is used to supplement funding for California public schools.
Why officials urge responsible play
"The California State Lottery wants you to enjoy Lottery games, and that means playing them responsibly," the Lottery says in its guidance, which also directs players to free help lines. According to the California Lottery, resources include the California Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) and a text support option at 53342. Winners must complete a verification process with the Lottery before payments are issued, and retailers that sell winning tickets typically receive a bonus payment.
