From Gas Pump to Jackpot: Illinois Player Scores $1 Million

Illinois Lotto Player Scores $1 Million After Taking a Chance at the Pump

Sometimes luck shows up when you least expect it. That’s exactly what happened to one Illinois Lottery player who, on a whim, grabbed a ticket after filling up their gas tank—and ended up walking away with a life-changing $1 million prize.

The winner, who chose to stay anonymous and go by the nickname Rainy Day Fund, hadn’t even been a regular player. “I play once in a while when I have extra cash,” they explained. “I hadn’t played in a while, but the jackpot was almost $12 million, so I figured, why not?”

That small decision turned out to be a million-dollar move.

Where the Winning Ticket Came From

• Location: Citgo gas station, 8755 W. 79th Street, Justice, Illinois

• Drawing Date: July 10

• Game: Lotto Million 1

• Prize: $1 million

Justice, a southwest suburb of Chicago, became the hot spot of good fortune when this lucky ticket matched all six Lotto Million 1 numbers.

The Moment of Realization

For Rainy Day Fund, the excitement didn’t hit immediately. At work the next day, they heard that a winning ticket had been sold in Justice—the very town where they had just purchased theirs. That was enough to spark curiosity.

“I scanned my ticket with the Illinois Lottery app,” the winner said. “At first, I thought I’d won $1,000. Then I scanned it again and saw a few extra zeroes. I scanned it about 20 more times because I couldn’t believe it. My heart was racing—I was freaking out!”

It’s the kind of disbelief that comes with suddenly jumping from an ordinary day at work to realizing you’re officially a millionaire.

Plans for the Future

While many winners might be tempted to splurge, Rainy Day Fund already has a thoughtful plan in place:

• Saving & Investing: With close friends working in finance, the winner intends to manage the prize responsibly.

• Big Celebration Ahead: Part of the winnings will help cover a wedding and honeymoon next year. “One thing’s for sure,” the winner said with a smile, “I’ll be celebrating.”

What About You?

If this story has you thinking about grabbing a ticket yourself, here’s a quick rundown of the Illinois Lotto:

• Exclusive to Illinois: The Lotto game is only available in the state.

• Drawings Three Times a Week: Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

• Ways to Play: In stores, online, or directly through the Illinois Lottery app.

• Extra Shot Option: Boosts your chances of winning additional prizes.