Illinois Man Checks Birthday Gift Lottery Ticket, Gets Shock of His Life With USD 1 Million Win
The Braidwood resident received an envelope containing several lottery tickets from a friend at a birthday party organised by his wife, according to the Illinois Lottery. One of the tickets was for the August 8 Lotto Million 2 drawing.
An Illinois man's birthday celebration turned into a life-changing surprise after a lottery ticket gifted to him by a friend won a USD 1 million jackpot.
The Braidwood resident received an envelope containing several lottery tickets from a friend at a birthday party organised by his wife, according to the Illinois Lottery. One of the tickets was for the August 8 Lotto Million 2 drawing.
The ticket matched all six winning numbers — 11, 17, 22, 26, 36 and 45 — to win the USD 1 million jackpot. It also won an additional USD 2 for matching two numbers on another line.
Illinois Man Thought He Won USD 1,000
The winner initially had no idea that his birthday gift was worth USD 1 million. After checking the ticket, he believed he had won just USD 1,000.
He even asked a friend to check the ticket, but the friend also apparently overlooked the jackpot. Powerball Jackpot Reaches USD 1 Billion, Biggest US Lottery Jackpot of 2026 After 43 Drawings Without Winner.
"I thought, 'Wow, a thousand bucks isn't bad, this was a great day.' But I was not prepared for what came next," the winner said, according to the Illinois Lottery.
The man and his wife then visited an Illinois Lottery prize centre to claim what they believed was a USD 1,000 prize.
"We told the staff that I won a thousand dollars," he said. A lottery worker then revealed that the ticket was actually worth USD 1 million.
"I was in complete shock. My wife even started tearing up," he said.
What Will The Illinois Lottery Winner Do With USD 1 Million?
The Braidwood man said he plans to use some of his winnings for his annual winter trip to Florida to visit family. US: Man Finds Forgotten USD 5.9 Million Lottery Ticket in Old Pants Days Before Expiry.
He is also considering buying a new car and a golf cart. The couple plans to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with a cruise, while the winner also intends to treat his children.
"We'll be going on a cruise to celebrate our 40th anniversary and my kids' birthdays," he said. "I told them, 'Dad's paying.'"
Where Was The Winning Lottery Ticket Sold?
The winning Lotto ticket was purchased at Gas N Wash, 1951 E. Laraway Road, New Lenox, Illinois. The store will receive a USD 10,000 selling bonus, equal to 1% of the jackpot.
The Illinois Lottery's Lotto game is played three times a week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The lottery said players have one year from the drawing date to claim Lotto prizes.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2026 04:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).