Birthday Surprise: Braidwood Man Wins $1 Million Lotto Jackpot From Birthday Gift Ticket
The anonymous winner said he thought the gifted ticket was worth $1,000 until Illinois Lottery staff told him it had actually hit the $1 million jackpot.
CHICAGO — A Braidwood resident’s birthday celebration became a million-dollar milestone after he won a $1 million Lotto jackpot from a lottery ticket gifted to him by a friend at his birthday party.
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The winning ticket was purchased at Gas N Wash, 1951 E. Laraway Rd. in New Lenox, and given to him as a birthday gift.
"My wife planned a party for my big day," said the winner, who opted to remain anonymous. "One of my friends handed me an envelope with some scratch-offs inside. I never would’ve imagined actually winning."
The ticket matched all six numbers — 11-17-22-26-36-45 — in the Saturday, August 8, Lotto Million 2 drawing, securing the $1 million prize. The ticket also won an additional $2 for matching two numbers on another line.
"I didn’t even think I won anything at first glance,” he said. “I had one of my friends check the ticket. He must’ve also overlooked it, because he said I only won a grand.”
The winner added, “I thought, ‘Wow, a thousand bucks isn’t bad, this was a great day.’ But I was not prepared for what came next.”
When the winner and his wife visited their local Illinois Lottery prize center, they received a life-changing surprise.
"We told the staff that I won a thousand dollars," he said. “One of the workers smiled and said ‘Sir, you actually won a million dollars.’ I was in complete shock. My wife even started tearing up.”
After a few phone calls, the news quickly spread throughout the family.
"Both my son-in-law and eldest daughter said, 'Get out of here, are you sure?'” he recalled with a laugh. “I told them, ‘As sure as I am a year older.’”
Now, the winner and his wife are looking forward to celebrating their good fortune with their family. They plan to take their annual winter trip to Florida to visit relatives, and he hopes to purchase a new car and golf cart.
“We’ll be going on a cruise to celebrate our 40th anniversary and my kids’ birthdays,” he said with a smile. “I told them ‘Dad’s paying.’”
As a result of selling the winning ticket, Gas N Wash will receive a $10,000 selling bonus — one percent of the total prize amount.
So far in 2026, Illinois Lottery players have claimed more than 4.1 million winning Lotto tickets, with total prizes exceeding $47 million.
Lotto is an Illinois-only game that is played three times a week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets for the game can be purchased in-store, online, or on the Illinois Lottery app.
Lotto b-roll, available for use by the media, downloadhere.
The Illinois Lottery reminds players to play for fun, not funds. Be Smart, Play Smart®. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com.
About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $26 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.
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