Lottery player ‘almost passed out’ after Illinois win. ‘Don’t have to worry anymore’

“Just last week you were worried about not having enough money for your retirement,” a lottery player’s best friend said.

Then, the player bought an Illinois lottery ticket and checked their numbers the morning after the Sept. 22 drawing.

“It wasn’t until I clicked on ‘check your numbers’ and entered the numbers on my ticket that I realized, ‘Oh my gosh, I really won!’” the winner told lottery officials in a Sept. 27 news release.

The winner said they “almost passed out” when they learned the Lucky Day Lotto prize was worth $1.45 million.

“Well, I guess you don’t have to worry anymore,” the friend told the winner after learning about the prize. “I’m so happy for you!”

“I am so happy that I can’t stop smiling and crying at the same time,” the winner said.

The lucky player was a regular customer at the Des Plaines gas station where they purchased the ticket, lottery officials said in a Sept. 24 news release.

“I’m thrilled this win is going to a familiar face and that we were able to celebrate with the lucky winner,” the gas station’s owner, Febin Thomas, said

The retailer received a $14,500 bonus for selling the ticket and plans to distribute the money among the employees.

“I have many longtime employees, some have even worked for me for over 10 years, and I’d love to share the bonus with them,” Thomas said.

Des Plaines is about a 30-mile drive northwest from downtown Chicago.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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