January 1, Illinois Man Strikes Lottery Gold Due To Gas Station Employee’s Mistake

An Illinois man, Michael Sopejstal, 60, won $390,000 after a gas station employee’s mistake led to his purchase of a winning Lucky For Life lottery ticket. The incident occurred on September 17 at a GoLo gas station in New Buffalo, Michigan.

Sopejstal said, “I asked the retailer for a ticket for 10 draws, but he accidentally printed a ticket with 10 lines for one draw, but I told him I still wanted it.”

Sopejstal buys a Lucky for Life ticket for 10 or 20 draws every few weeks when he visits Michigan to eat at his favorite restaurant. To win the $25,000 a year prize, he matched the five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, which were 11, 15, 17, 24, and 48. The top prize, requiring players to match an extra Lucky Ball in addition to the first five, is $1,000 a day for life.

Upon realizing his win, Sopejstal said, “I immediately started thinking about all the things I could do with the money and whether I wanted to take the lump sum or annuity option. It was an amazing feeling!”

He ultimately decided to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000. Sopejstal told the Michigan Lottery that he plans to use his winnings to travel, then save the remainder.

He could have also chosen to receive annual payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or for life, whichever is greater. Lucky For Life tickets cost $2 per play and drawings take place at 10:38 p.m. every day. On Thanksgiving last week, a player in Ohio won the same Lucky For Life prize as Sopejstal.

Why It Matters

In a world where mistakes often lead to negative consequences, it’s refreshing to see a simple error result in a life-changing win for an everyday, hardworking American. Michael Sopejstal’s story shows us that luck can strike anyone, even when you least expect it.

This lottery win is a testament to the power of chance and the importance of taking risks, even if they seem small. It’s a reminder to all of us that good things can come from unexpected places, and that we should always be open to embracing the unknown.

Sopejstal’s decision to use his winnings wisely – traveling and saving – also highlights the value of financial responsibility, a lesson that resonates with conservative values.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

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