An Arkansas man’s quick decision to grab a lottery ticket while picking up some beef jerky turned into a life-changing moment. Working in Fort Smith, the Garland County resident had been eyeing the $625 million Mega Millions jackpot, but a different game caught his attention.
He noticed the Lotto jackpot had climbed over $1 million and asked the store clerk, “Is it too late to play?” The cashier assured him he still had time, and he bought a single Lotto ticket for the Oct. 15 drawing.
The next morning, around 4:30 a.m., he checked the numbers and saw the words every player dreams of: “Winner – claim at lottery.” Comparing his ticket to the winning numbers—1, 5, 23, 30, 32, 40, with a bonus 33—he realized he had just won $1.338 million.
“Heck yeah, my dreams came true!” he exclaimed, still thrilled over the unexpected windfall. The lucky winner says he plans to invest the money for retirement, turning a simple last-minute stop into a major financial milestone.
While many people enjoy playing games of chance responsibly, gambling can be harmful for some. For anyone struggling with gambling addiction, help is available. You can call the National Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
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