Illinois Lottery player wins $1M on scratch-off-ticket sold in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — An Illinois Lottery player won $1 million on a scratch off ticket bought in Chicago.

“It’s all so unbelievable!” exclaimed the anonymous winner, nicknamed ‘Papa.’ “I didn’t even realize it was a winning ticket until I scanned it at the store, just to double check. When the prize amount popped up on the screen, I turned as white as a ghost! I tucked the ticket safely inside my coat and immediately sprinted home.

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He bought the winning Jumbo Bucks ticket at P&S Liquor, located at 7319 Irving Park Road on the Northwest Side.

“When I got home, I told my wife, ‘We just won $1 million!’” Papa recalled with a laugh. “Even she couldn’t believe it. She stared at me wide-eyed and just kept saying, ‘What? Are you sure?’”

Papa and his wife are both retired and they plan to support their family and take a vacation abroad.

“I’ve never been to Europe, but our families are Irish and Italian,” said Papa. “You better believe we’re going overseas for a nice trip!”

The store that sold the winning ticket will get a $10,000 bonus.