CALIFORNIA – California Lottery announced October 23 that a player and his wife decided to stay home for the weekend — a choice that turned out to be worth $1 million.
Andrew Jeske went out to grab some food and, as part of the couple’s staycation routine, stopped by George’s Liquor at 1931 La Habra Boulevard to pick up a few Scratchers games.
“Well, we usually go out of town every single weekend,” said Jeske, “but maybe once a month we stay home. When we do, I grab some food and stop at that store to pick up a few tickets. Then I give my wife a Scratchers.”
One of those purchases, a Sunny Money Scratchers, turned out to be worth $1 million.
The California Lottery said Jeske, however, took the life-changing news in stride.
“My wife seemed a little excited, but we weren’t running around calling to plan vacations or nothing,” said Jeske calmly with a chuckle.
Mostly he plans to keep quiet about his win, preferring that the store clerk continues to know him as just “that guy” who comes in now and then to buy a couple of Scratchers games.
Bigger wins around the state
The California Lottery said a few recent wins sparked more excitement among players.
Moayad Hassan won $10 million playing a 200X Scratchers ticket bought at Barley Bin Liquor in Whittier.
Meanwhile, a Crossword Xtreme Scratchers ticket from the Shell station at 1861 N. Ventura Road in Oxnard won Jesus Solorio $7 million.
Since 1985, the California Lottery has funded public education while paying more than $90 billion in prizes statewide.
More than 95% of California Lottery revenue returns to communities through prizes, retailer compensation, and education funding.
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