Illinois man wins same lottery game twice in 15 years
A Chicago-area man has won the Illinois lottery twice in 15 years, claiming a $1.3 million Lucky Day Lotto jackpot on June 11, 2026, after buying a Quick Pick ticket on a whim at an Oswego BP gas station. He previously won $45,000 in the same game when it was called Little Lotto.
For readers tracking windfalls and household money moves, the repeat win is a rare reminder that long-shot prizes can land twice in one lifetime—and that big payouts often raise the same planning questions as any sudden cash event.
Key Takeaways
- An anonymous Chicagoland resident won a $1.3 million Lucky Day Lotto jackpot in the June 11, 2026, evening drawing.
- He bought a Quick Pick ticket while stopping for a drink at Oswego BP and said, "Why not?"
- About 15 years ago, he won $45,000 playing the same game, then known as Little Lotto.
- He plans to buy a new home and add to retirement savings with his wife.
- The Oswego BP gas station received a $13,000 retailer bonus for selling the winning ticket.
How did the Illinois lottery winner hit the jackpot again?
According to the New York Post, citing the Illinois Lottery, the winner stopped at BP in Oswego, Illinois, for a drink and decided to try his luck. "I just stopped by the store for a drink and thought, 'Why not?,'" he recalled. "I played a Quick Pick, and it turned out to be a lucky day."
His ticket matched all five numbers drawn that evening: 1, 13, 19, 27, and 35. Sports Chosun reported he was the only first-prize winner to match every number in that draw.
What makes this Lucky Day Lotto win unusual?
The June 11 draw became déjà vu for a player who had already cashed in on the same Illinois-only game roughly 15 years earlier. "Fifteen years ago, when this game was called Little Lotto, I also won $45,000," he said, adding that he never imagined he would win again in the same game.
Lucky Day Lotto lets players choose five numbers from 1 to 45 or use automatic selection for $1 per play, per Sports Chosun. Repeat major wins in one game are uncommon, which is why the story spread quickly beyond Illinois.
What will the winner do with the $1.3 million prize?
After scanning the ticket, the winner said reality finally set in. "I didn't believe it at first — I asked myself, 'Am I dreaming?'" he told lottery officials. He plans to use the money to purchase a new home for his family and to save for retirement with his wife.
"We are just so grateful for this blessing," he said. "I'm sure my kids will be, too." For more stories on sudden wealth and money alerts, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage.
Did the gas station benefit from the win?
Yes. The Illinois Lottery said Oswego BP, located at 2791 U.S. Highway 34, will receive a $13,000 bonus equal to 1% of the jackpot for selling the winning ticket.