California Man Wins $10 Million Lottery Jackpot After Clerk’s Recommendation
A California man walked out of a store holding a $10 million lottery ticket, thanks to a clerk’s recommendation after he couldn’t decide which scratch-off ticket to buy.
Brent Young, a resident of California, won his life-changing $10 million from the California 200X $30 instant game. He purchased the winning ticket at Prince Food & Gas on West Walnut Avenue in Visalia.
Young found himself in a dilemma, unsure of which game would give him the best chance of winning. Feeling indecisive, he asked the clerk for assistance in selecting a ticket.
Choosing from over two dozen scratch-off games offered by the California Lottery can be a daunting task for players. However, the clerk confidently picked out a ticket from the $30 instant game California 200X.
After making his gas and lottery ticket purchase, Young could not wait to scratch the card. As he continued scratching, halfway through, he discovered that one of his numbers matched the winning numbers printed on the side of the ticket. The bold font displayed the staggering prize amount of $10,000,000.
“When I saw all those zeros, I was like, ‘No way, this doesn’t happen to people like me,'” Young excitedly shared with the Lottery. “It’s crazy. Out of all those options, the clerk could have picked a different game, but he didn’t. He grabbed a winner!”
Young was astounded by the turn of events that led him to this particular retailer. He typically purchased fuel and lottery tickets at a different gas station but had to make an unexpected stop at Prince Food & Gas due to the closure of his usual stop.
“It’s almost like God’s intervention,” Young confessed to the Lottery. “I didn’t have a specific ticket in mind, so I let someone else decide. I had no choice but to go to Prince’s. If my usual stop had been open, none of this probably would have happened.”
After considering the tax implications, Young opted to receive a lump sum prize of $5.8 million. Additionally, the owner of Prince Food & Gas was awarded a $50,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
California 200X is an exclusive instant game available only in California, offering players a chance to win up to $10 million. With Young’s jackpot win, four out of nine $10 million prizes remain in the $30 California 200X game. Furthermore, there are still nine out of 18 $750,000 second-tier prizes and 40 out of 92 $50,000 third-tier prizes up for grabs.
The overall odds of winning any prize in the California 200X game are 1 in 2.71. However, the odds of winning the coveted top prize are 1 in 3,041,187.
For individuals interested in purchasing lottery tickets, they can visit gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores in person. Some airport terminals may also offer lottery tickets for sale.
Online ticket purchasing is also an option through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Residents of select U.S. states can use the Jackpocket app to pick their lottery game and numbers, place their order, see their ticket, and collect their winnings, all from the convenience of their phone or home computer.
It is important to note that Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, and Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Potential players must be of legal gambling age, which is 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, assistance is available through various helplines such as 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); and 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Further information and terms and conditions can be found on the Jackpocket website (jackpocket.com/tos).
This incredible win serves as a reminder that fortune can favor anyone, even those faced with indecision. Brent Young’s chance encounter with a helpful clerk and a change of routine led to an unexpected windfall that will undoubtedly change his life.