Illinois Woman’s Lottery Mistake Yields $250,000 Jackpot
JOHNSON CITY, Ill. — A simple online slip-up turned into a life-changing moment for an Illinois woman who accidentally bought the wrong lottery ticket but ended up winning a $250,000 jackpot. The woman, identified only as Holly, had intended to purchase a $2 FastPlay ticket through the official Illinois Lottery website but instead selected a $20 Magnificent Multiplier ticket.
“I was watching a movie and accidentally selected the $20 ticket,” Holly told Illinois Lottery officials. “I thought, ‘Oh shoot! I didn’t want to spend that much.’” That unplanned purchase, however, proved to be a fortunate mistake when the ticket matched the winning numbers for the Magnificent Multiplier jackpot.
Holly recalled her disbelief upon checking the results. “I honestly thought my computer had crashed,” she said. The unexpected windfall has inspired her plans to build a new family home and purchase a baby grand piano.
The Illinois Lottery, which oversees games like FastPlay and Magnificent Multiplier, encourages players to verify their ticket selections carefully when purchasing online through their official website. The Magnificent Multiplier game, a popular instant-win option, offers higher stakes and larger jackpots compared to the standard FastPlay tickets.
This story joins a series of recent lottery surprises across the country. For example, the North Carolina Education Lottery recently announced a Pick 3 drawing where 5,151 tickets bearing the numbers 9-1-1 won top prizes. Similarly, a Maryland woman won $50,000 after following her sister’s advice on which numbers to play, as reported by the Maryland Lottery.
Lottery officials remind players that while luck plays a significant role, responsible gaming is essential. The USA.gov gambling resources provide information on how to play responsibly and where to seek help if needed.
Holly’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes mistakes can lead to unexpected fortune. As she embarks on her plans to improve her family’s home and enrich her life with music, her accidental purchase will surely be a tale to share for years to come.
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