A woman crosses her fingers after purchasing a Mega Millions lottery ticket.
San Luis Obispo, California – A man experiencing homelessness in San Luis Obispo is now a millionaire after winning $1 million on a California Lottery scratcher purchased at a local liquor store.
The unexpected windfall was confirmed Monday by Wilson Samaan, manager of Sandy’s Deli-Liquor, where the winning Triple Red 777 ticket was sold. Samaan described the winner as a “loyal customer” and said he was overjoyed to see the man, who had been living on the streets, finally catch a break.
“He deserved every penny of it,” Samaan told The Chronicle. “He’s a good guy.”
The winning ticket was bought on the evening of April 6 for $25, along with another scratcher and some smaller tickets. The man scratched one ticket immediately and won $200, which was cashed out at the counter. The next morning, he returned to the store and scratched the other 777 card in front of Samaan.
“He’s like, ‘Oh my God, come take a look at this. Is that true?’” Samaan recalled. “I grabbed the ticket, put it in the machine, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God!’”
Initially, the man believed he had won $100,000 — still an incredible sum — until Samaan pointed out the extra zero that made it a $1 million prize. The odds of winning that amount on a Triple Red 777 scratcher are roughly 1 in 2,047,423, according to the California Lottery.
Because the winner doesn’t own a car, Samaan offered to personally drive him to the nearest Lottery office in Fresno to claim the prize, avoiding the risks of mailing the valuable ticket. He has also been helping with documentation, including photo and video proof of the purchase.
California Lottery officials have not officially confirmed the win, saying it typically takes six to eight weeks to vet claims and complete security checks.
The story quickly spread across town. Adam Kemp, owner of Thrifty Beaches in downtown San Luis Obispo, posted a video on Instagram congratulating the man and his wife, who have reportedly been living on the streets for years. In the video, the man holds a copy of the winning ticket and says, “I just can’t wait to get off the streets.”
“It’s gonna change his life forever,” Samaan said. “I hope for the good.”
