Illinois player fetches $3m off fast play game

A player from Illinois has fetched a massive prize from the Ultimate Diamond Jackpot fast-play game, winning a total of $3,188,104. The ticket was purchased at the Komal Wine and Liquor convenience store on Thursday, February 20, and brought his buyer an unexpected spot of good luck!

Illinois local scoops up huge payday with $3m jackpot

With the seven-figure prize now confirmed, the Illinois player was a little shy and he preferred to remain anonymous, but that is alright as a shop staffer was happy to fill in for the photo-op. The store is located near O’Hare airport at 4628 N Cumberland Ave. and it has been selling tickets to locals for a long time.

Shop owner Ashish Patel, who owns the store, has recounted his own experience and what the win signified to his family. For starters, Patel was very excited to see such a big prize of money off a ticket that was sold at his store, which would naturally fetch him a decent bonus - $31,000.

However, Patel also argued that since opening in 2015, the shop has grown to serve the local community, and that his wife and he have grown accustomed to the neighborhood and its residents with whom he developed a fond relationship.

"While we have no idea who the winner is, I have a feeling we will know very soon. We know every customer who walks in the door, and they know each of us by name. I’m sure the winner will come into the store to share the news with us – and we can’t wait! We are so excited for them," he said.

Lottery jackpots dropping all over the place

This is hardly the only jackpot to have been won recently. In France, a pair of homeless people ended up winning €500,000 from a scratch-off ticket they purchased with a stolen credit card.

Unable to claim the reward, the victim of the theft argued that he would split the reward with the culprits if they offered him his ticket back.

As to Illinois, the lottery has been in the habit of frequently offering big prizes. Just two months ago, another lucky soul won a $700,000 reward from a ticket.

Image credit: Illinois Lottery