Dedicated player refuses to sit out and watch others try their luck
By Kate Northrop
BOISE, Idaho — A Utah man is glad he drove across state lines into Idaho on two separate occasions to play the lottery after it led to him winning a $3 million prize in the Mega Millions multi-state game.
A Utah man wasn't about to let himself sit out on all the fun while other lottery players from surrounding states tried their luck.
Although the state of Utah does not have a lottery, that was not stopping J. Refugio Gonzalez Almeida from making two separate road trips into the neighboring Gem State for a chance at the Mega Millions jackpot.
Ahead of the July 4th holiday this year, the Mega Millions jackpot had stood at $400 million. Almeida traveled from Utah to Malad, Idaho twice to ensure that he had tickets for the latest drawings.
It was his decision to make the trip a second time that landed him a $3 million prize.
"Playing the lottery is my hobby," Almeida told the Idaho Lottery. "When I didn't win the jackpot on that Friday, I thought 'I need a ticket for the 4th of July,' so I drove back to Malad on Saturday.
Prior to purchasing his $3 million winning ticket, the Utah resident had won smaller prizes on his first set of winning tickets, so he cashed those and reinvested the winnings.
"I bought all the games, including Mega Millions," he continued. "I had a lot tickets."
On that Fourth of July holiday, which is also his birthday, Almeida gave himself the best present — a winning ticket that matched the first five numbers with the Megaplier feature. The winning numbers for the draw were 21, 33, 54, 61, and 67, with Mega Ball 12.
Since the drawn Megaplier was 3, Almeida's $1 million prize was tripled to $3 million.
Almeida returned to Malad a month later to check all his tickets.
"I had $2, $8, not a lot, and then they scanned this one and told me I had to take it to the Lottery Commission. So here I am!" he declared with a smile and while holding his check.
When asked what he plans to do with his winnings, he gave a confident answer.
"I am taking this right to the bank and depositing it!" he stated.
The Mega Millions jackpot, that Almeida had missed by just one number, was the same one that climbed up to $1.58 billion last week (with a final tally of $1.602 billion once all the proceeds were counted) — the highest Mega Millions jackpot in history, and the second-largest lottery jackpot in world history among all lottery games. It was won by one ticket sold at a Publix grocery store in Neptune Beach and has not yet been claimed.
According to the Lottery, Mega Millions has generated about $3 million for the Idaho Lottery's beneficiaries, Idaho's public schools and buildings, during the historic jackpot run.
The Mega Millions jackpot currently stands at $36 million for the next drawing on Fri., Aug. 11 at 11:00 pm Eastern Time.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.
Congratulations on his big win...smart guy doing Megaplier too.
Brings back memories when Tennessee did not have a lottery. Coming North on I-65 crossing to Kentucky they had a huge billboard stating the jackpots. Since we don't take that route anymore not sure if it is still there or not, but the others in state were updated so they would read billion dollar jackpots.
congratulations to him!
I do the same sometimes.
I'll drive in Minnesota and play the state lotto game when it gets over a certain amount. I've won $500
I also like driving to clear my min so, I get to do two things I love!
Congrats to the lucky guy,
maybe some Utah will have lottery.
* Persistence paid off for Gonzo, Enjoy your new found wealth.
One of these days I'm gonna go to the store across the street!
That was a drive well worth it!
Can't wait to get back on the road again!
Congrats to J. Refugio! Interesting that he took the 15 up to Malad City. Many take the 91 up to Franklin, which is a little closer to the border. There's a convenience store in Franklin that it calls itself the "Utah Lottery" on account of it being very popular with the Utahns.
CONGRATULATIONS .......
Congratulations!
Louisiana was the same when Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi didn't have lotteries. Not sure how it is now.
Tennessee had the billboards, unlike sky high Georgia ones these weren't very high off the ground displaying lottery jackpots.
For Mississippi, we went twice this summer to Biloxi and can't remember any billboards for the lottery, but sure was plenty for their casinos. Next visit will be more diligent, however with the heavy tint on the bus windows from the airport it was difficult to make anything out!