It has been revealed that the lucky winner of a million-dollar scratch-off ticket sold at a Californialiquor store was a homeless man.
California Lottery announced earlier this month that a customer of Sandy's Liquor Store inSan Luis Obispo won the life-changing sum of cash.
But the store's manager, Wilson Samaan, revealed there is more to the extraordinary story - and that the unhoused man couldn't believe his luck when he won.
Samaan, who has worked there since 2013, said the man who bought the lucky ticket is a longtime customer who 'deserves every penny.'
'I was so excited — even more than him,' he told the Los Angeles Times.
'He’s a good person, he deserves every penny. ... I was very excited it happened to a person who deserved it, and he actually needed it.
The winner, who has opted for anonymity, could hardly believe his eyes when he saw '$1 million' written on his scratcher.
'He’s like, ‘Wilson, come over here, is that true, is that real?' Samaan recalled to the LA Times.
'I scanned it and I’m like, "Bro, you hit the jackpot!"'
But the store's manager, Wilson Samaan (pictured holding a large faux-check), said the winner is a homeless man who is a longtime customer
California Lottery announced earlier this month that a customer of Sandy's Liquor Store (pictured) in San Luis Obispo won the life-changing sum of cash
The excited jackpot recipient first misread the ticket and thought he only won $100,000, but Samaan quickly clarified, adding even more thrill to the once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Of all the years Samaan has worked there, he said this is the largest prize he has seen.
Samaan even drove the man to the nearest California Lottery Office, located in Fresno, to make sure the ticket made it there.
California Lottery has not yet confirmed the identity of the winner, the organization only said the winning ticket was sold at Sandy's Liquor Store.
'We never announce winners until the claims and vetting process is over,' spokespersonCarolyn Becker told the LA Times.
Players of the Triple Red 777 game, the one the homeless winner bought, have slim odds of hitting the $1 million jackpot.
The chances of winning the maximum amount are one in2.047 million. There are still five unclaimed top prizes from the game, the LA Times reported.
Sandy's Liquor Store will get half a percent - or $5,000 - for selling the winning ticket.
The Triple Red 777 game (pictured), the one the homeless winner played, has slim odds of hitting the $1 million jackpot
Last week, Sandy's Liquor Store posted an Instagram announcement about the massive win.
'Big congrats to our loyal customer on his $1 million jackpot winning scratch ticket at Sandy’s,' the post reads.
Along with a photo of the charmed scratcher card, a picture of Samaan, smiling while holding a massive 'million-dollar check' was shared.
Community members shared the liquor store'senthusiasm about the homeless man's win.
'What a feel good story!' one Instagram commenter wrote. 'So happy to hear about the man who won and the manager who even drove the winner to the nearest lottery office!'
Another person wrote: 'Thank you for making sure he got to the lottery office with his win! I'm so happy for him.'
California is one of eight states that do not levy taxes on lottery wins. The other states are Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
