24 year-old Calif. man claims lottery riches

Comment #73

Halle99 — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:10:37 GMT

Oh my that was sooooo close.....$1 million isn't that bad either....I had to play the MP....I am really eyeing that money....alot its gonna help me big time....

Comment #72

janem — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:16:58 GMT

I almost won the jackpot too. I had five out of six numbers. And I was only off by one on the number I missed (it was an 8 and I had a 9). Still, I was thrilled with the win. The next time, I will get the six out of six

Comment #71

Halle99 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:30:48 GMT

Oh. I am so sorry to hear that. Buy them next time. I am so happy I finally know what numbers to play.

Watch out LP here comes another young lottery winner.

Good luck to all.

Comment #70

dpoly1 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:15:19 GMT

Thank you for your kind words

Comment #69

foragoodcause — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:43:53 GMT

The jackpot was over 5 mil.I use a system to choose my numbers,a psychic told me i will win the lottery one day,i hope she is right because i can't wait.

Comment #68

rock_nc — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:23:14 GMT

I'm 55, I have been playing every since SC came on board,now NC has power ball,I'm still playing and you know WHAT,still have'nt won nothing to bragg about,but I still play,cause IF YOU DON'T PLAY,YOU WON'T HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING.I play birthdays dates,anniversary date,any numbers I see that comes up any place to use,all kinds of numbers I look for,guess what still no BIG win,but I keep hoping and praying,that one day will come before I die.........I would to travel the good ole USA only,visit... [ More ]

Comment #67

Lotto*Love — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:10:21 GMT

Lord help me, but I gotta ask..

How much was the jackpot for? I have never come close to winning anything big..unless you count that I once had a MM ticket with my white balls being one number away from the number drawn..and the mega ball was reversed..I had like 24 and it was 42. All I could say was that figures lol.

Comment #66

ThatScaryChick — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:33:15 GMT

That must have felt awful. I missed out on a $5,000 win and a $500 dollar win because I didn't play my numbers.

Comment #65

pumpi76 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:17:16 GMT

Ay yai yai, up to this heights people can't see that money clouds people...Anyways more important than 46 millions dollars 3 quarters and 2 cents,, actually 45.8323232343 million is a free lotto to take care of Americans, no i take that back, to take care of Californians living in Uruguay, no Ecuador, no Argentina who are 6'0, weigh 200 pounds are males and are blonds wearing rolex and are 24 years old, no 56 years old...Because i know there are plenty and they are all driving datsun around Rio... [ More ]

Comment #64

Steven948 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:09:03 GMT

I dont think Hes too young for that much money. what you make of those billionaire dads who thier sons probebly get huge loads of cash every week. that does not mean he'll go to strip bars everyday, casinos, thinks he's all that etc.. he went to college and took financing classes so he'l probebly does know what huge money can do to a person.

Comment #63

pumpi76 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:53:35 GMT

if he was a female it will be O.K, but since he is a male i feel he is too young...That is too much money for a 24 year old male...Women are more conservative with money than males...

That's why i don't like the lottery, the lottery CAN'T SEE certain things...

Comment #62

lottocalgal — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:28:11 GMT

Hey Litebets27,

I guess more of indifference. I was saying that so far lotto winners are pure strangers to me and to say I'm happy for them is pointess. I would say more of congratulations in this case. But notice I said that I WASNT angry at the young winners. But the folks on LP share experiences and opinions hand you find experiences in common with other players. In these instances, yes I would truly and sincerely feel happy for them. Especially if it were life changing. I look forward... [ More ]

Comment #61

janem — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:15:41 GMT

Thanks for the response Perfecttiming. I read that too and yet in the rules it states that the name of the winner may be public record under the California Public Records Act and therefore subject to public disclosure.

Yet they obviously do allow people to remain anonymous. I guess that is where the word may comes in. Do they not want people to be aware that they have the option. I wonder if they even let the winners know they have the choice becauase I can't believe anyone would not want... [ More ]

Comment #60

foragoodcause — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:15:32 GMT

I almost won the jackpot when i was 18 years old, i wrote the numbers on a piece of paper but i forgot to play that day.

Comment #59

lucksgirl — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:39:39 GMT

Look at that smile on the guy's face in picture. 3 words...

must be nice

Comment #58

Perfecttiming2 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:33:34 GMT

dploy1!

Thanks for posting this....

I'd like to think that every person on this site has an amazing story to tell....I know I do!

I get more joy out of hearing the stories behind the win than I do about the fact that someone won.

Comment #57

konane — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:33:25 GMT

Awesome win, congratulations to him for having won .... using his own numbers!!!!! Best wishes for however he chooses to utilize his newfound fortune.

Am always happy for anyone anywhere who lines up their energy and wins a jackpot.

Comment #56

Litebets27 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:38:19 GMT

Are you really angery that a stranger won, or just indifference in your feelings towards the winner. This is understandable. Unless the winners post a hardship story when they win and tell how the win is going to help them, we usually can get that warm cozy feeling of happiness for them. Until they show up a year or two later showing how they messed up their winnings, loss everything, in court because of the winnings, killed themselves because the money didn't bring them happiness etc..etc.

A... [ More ]

Comment #55

AuntiePat — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:59:38 GMT

Su-Weet.

Also have to say that I concur heartily with JustX and KYFloyd--I've been here for a while and see the younger ones posting hot cars and huge homes as their first purchase--I think the clue is to know yourself so completely that you will be able to make your money do what you wish it to--without attracting undue attention--but that's just my opinion.

Best of luck--young'un--hope you feel on top of the world a year from now, and for many years thereafter.

Comment #54

lottocalgal — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:52:54 GMT

It doesn't make me angry for those who win. I am not happy for anyone who does because they are complete strangers. IMO how can you be truly for someone you dont know. The only exception to that for me, is TRULY if someone here on LP announced that they won. although I don't know anyone personally, there still has been some level of communication and I would feel happy that someone I know (write to) that shared some life experiences and opinions with me, won the lottery and their life is made a... [ More ]

Comment #53

Todd — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:43:44 GMT

Wonderful note, very inspiring. Sorry to hear of your situation, but as they say, this too shall pass.

Comment #52

Litebets27 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:40:47 GMT

No.

I think we're happy for almost anyone who wins.

Except the convicted rapist that won some years ago.

Comment #51

Litebets27 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:38:30 GMT

Let's see what your desires are when you reach middle age.

I believe anyone who plays have some desires and dreams of what they want to do with the big win if they win it. Or why else, why would they play. I do know that there are some people who play just for the glory of the game or the excitement that gambling brings them, but that's rare.

We all have needs and dreams. Many young people don't understand this because they have not experienced the trials and tribulations that us older fol... [ More ]

Comment #50

Down — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:00:49 GMT

Does that make you guys kind of mad that young people like this win the Lottery

Comment #49

amininflorida — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:32:25 GMT

Dingo,

A great post that you wrote ... but I have to point out that I don't think the Advance Play option is a naive choice, because of course he drawings are mostly done with a Ball Drop not a Computer generation (Except I believe in Tennessee

Comment #48

Lotto*Love — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:51:29 GMT

In my opinion, I don't think its the age at all that deserves to win. Its a good person who deserves to win. Everyone has a story to tell at any age. The 20 year old who wants to pay for college and help out his parents who may be sturggling...the 40 year old who has worked hard at his job for 20+years to support the family..the 60 year old who wants to retire in style cuz dang it he/she deserves it...and the 80 year old who dreams of leaving some money to the kids...the grandkids....and event t... [ More ]

Comment #47

KY Floyd — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:10:11 GMT

I'm kind of with justX on this. There are plenty of people who managed to lose it all before dying, so they wouldn't have enjoyed it for any longer if they had won when they were a few years younger. OTOH, perhaps a few of the people who went broke would have made it last longer if they had been 10 years older when they won. I expect that the vast majority of people would be better at handling sudden wealth when they're 40 than when they're 20 to 25.

I might have been able to have more fun pe... [ More ]

Comment #46

wizeguy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:48:25 GMT

He has a cool name too, dontcha think?

Congrats Todd! May this enable you to realize your dreams

Comment #45

Jack Pot — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:03:39 GMT

You don't want someone like me (an old man with cancer) to win? Why? I'm not angry, just curious....

Comment #44

dingo — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:41:23 GMT

justxploring's opinions always sound very thoughtful. I wish my brain can easily come up with meaningful and concise statements like hers. It would be helpful to my English essays. The downside is that English is my second language, and I often hang out with folks speaking my native language.

Comment #43

dphillips — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:02:52 GMT

justxploring, I have also responded on this post regarding the arrogance of some writers who assume that older players don't deserve to win as younger players do.

Although the 24 winner may have longevity on his side, the quality of his life, in my opinion, will be or should be remembered at the end of his days.

Finally, as justxploring mentioned: most older people would appreciate a windfall more, since they've paid the price...so to speak. These are powerful and poigant words...advice t... [ More ]

Comment #42

janem — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:51:48 GMT

I am very happy for this young man and hope he enjoys his winnings. I have a feeling though, he will come to regret that press conference. There are just too many unscrupulous people out there who will do their best to seperate him from his money. I have read so many stories about lotttery winners who say if they could do it all over again, the one thing they would do differently is to keep quiet about winning.

I have noticed that on the California Lottery Website it says that they are requir... [ More ]

Comment #41

dpoly1 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:25:03 GMT

Just because you are middle-aged doesn't mean that you already have most of what you want out of life!

Maybe you have lost your job, and can't get one because you are middle-aged.

Maybe you have been chronically ill for 22 years and are now disabled.

Maybe most of what you have wanted to do has always been out of reach, and that is why you play.

I believe that my story would be cool' too.

Comment #40

justxploring — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:46:23 GMT

Yes, that's true, but how do you really know that? What about all the lottery winners who blew it in a short time or whose wealth led to their demise? Although statistically someone 24 will live much longer than someone 64, there are never any guarantees. I'm only in my 50s and I've lost friends to cancer or a tragic accident. Yet I also know people in their 80s who are healthy active.

Well, it's silly to belabor this issue, since it is supposed to be a happy thread, but I only made my last c... [ More ]

Comment #39

grengrad — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:52:47 GMT

I am sure it would be very nice to win at any age, but the sooner you win, the more years you have to enjoy it.

Comment #38

JWBlue — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:58:17 GMT

Anyone would rather win when they are 24 than when they were in their 40s or 50s. You are alone if you disagree.

You are the same person that wouldn't want to win more than a few millions. You are alone there too.

Comment #37

myturn08 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:25:11 GMT

wow, 24 years old, i know he must be on cloud 9 10 and 11, im close to his age, so i can only imagine how he feels and all the opportunites running through his mind

Comment #36

Stew12 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:18:33 GMT

what if the drawing computer scans your multi-draw numbers and avoid to draw that numbers.

There is no way for the lottery folks to avoid drawing any numbers.

I find is crazy that US lotteries require winners to disclose their names, that turns people into sitting ducks

It does have it's down sides, but the positive side is that the public knows the drawing is not corrupt. If every winner was to remain anonymous, it would be much easier to hide if dirty lottery CEO's were paying themsel... [ More ]

Comment #35

DelmarvaChick — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:21:50 GMT

I always love it when a young person wins. I know Todd says that older people win because that age bracket plays more, but it still gives me a bit of hope. I'm not sure about the genuis involved in having a press conference and telling everybody in sight, but who knows...maybe his friends and family are different (anything's possible right...espically after you've won the lottery).

Comment #34

dphillips — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:07:56 GMT

myturn, you live in Australia and the NSW Lotteries obviously care about annonymity -- unless the winners do not want to remain anonymous. Unlike the US Lottery official empty heads, all they want is publicity and if the winners are hounded, so be it!

A winner in New Mexico is not required to do a news conference. However, your name, prize amount, and ticket purchase are public knowledge. Of course, your address and telephone number are not public information. When I win, I am opting for no n... [ More ]

Comment #33

myturn — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:45:09 GMT

Can I be anonymous when I win?

California state law requires that the California State Lottery to release the following information: your name, and the name and location of the retailer where you bought your ticket. You may request no media coverage aside from that.

California Lottery website

I find is crazy that US lotteries require winners to disclose their names, that turns people into sitting ducks. NSW Lotteries allow winners to remain anonymous. Prize amounts a... [ More ]

Comment #32

Bradly_60 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:26:57 GMT

His accounting/finance classes paid off. I can't remember how many times during those classes I heard the phrase Cash is King . Good thing he learned from it. haha

Brad

Comment #31

ThatScaryChick — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:15:56 GMT

Congrats to him! He must be feeling really good right now.

Comment #30

dingo — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:17:10 GMT

Man, I am really happy for him. He has many years ahead to enjoy his winning.

I am studying Business Major also. I wish that happens on me.

Sometimes I think that only people with a good story about their lottery purchases would win, such as a honey moon trip, a compelling feeling to purchase, advanced prinited-out tickets, birthday numbers. For many times, I wanted to tell my story to the world too. I purchased lottery tickets in a place I loved to visit, Foster City in CA. I purcha... [ More ]

Comment #29

Texas Joey — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:15:02 GMT

That is wonderful news! Happy he won!!! Maybe one us will win soon too

Comment #28

justxploring — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:43:32 GMT

Disagree. I'm happy for him, but winning a lot of money after you've worked all your life to provide for your family can't be any less rewarding. Can it

Comment #27

Halle99 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:40:54 GMT

Wow...I agree. I have more hope on Mega Millions now, I am young myself and I will win at this age so that I can have many adventures and help my family and friends out. Congratulations for the win...I am next, but I have to wait for the jackpot to grow again...I have my numbers ready to be announced. I have been playing ever since I turned 18 years.

Comment #26

myturn — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:19:28 GMT

Moitz said he pounded on his roommate's door and had him verify the numbers matched those drawn.

Since then, Moitz said he's been texting and calling relatives to share the news.

Not a good idea! He should have kept quiet. He will be inundated with pleas for 'help', from family and friends and people he doesn't know. He should have got a good lawyer and tried to remain anonymous. I wish him the best and I hope he invested the vast majority of it for the future. while $32 mi... [ More ]

Comment #25

mayan27 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:16:35 GMT

good luck and hopes he make smart decisions in his spending.

Comment #24

Steven948 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:07:24 GMT

good to hear a young guy winning millions and not some 70 plus year old who has lung cancer

Comment #23

GamerMom — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:55:19 GMT

Hundal said he would share some of the money with his employees

What a nice guy!!! I love to hear this

Comment #22

Lotto*Love — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:34:52 GMT

I'm thinking WOW when I hear he picked his own numbers. Did anyone hear how he came up with his numbers? His own system? Important dates? Set numbers he's played for a year? What LUCK!

I haven't had any luck with qp's..I too buy just about $2 worth and my numbers ALWAYS seem to be like this:

A: 1, 28, 29, 30,45,-X

B: 13, 23, 24, 41, 42-X

I know any number combo can win..but I do seem to feel like a loser when I see these numbers. So far, my tickets have been just like... [ More ]

Comment #21

JWBlue — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:09:16 GMT

One good reason is, I would be willing to bet a few girls might recognize him and could come up to him in the bar. A huge negative would be, there are ALOT of desparate people these days looking for money.

Comment #20

ch687 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:04:03 GMT

Definetly. Winning at a younger age is the best. Hopefully I win the lottery soon myself lol. Yeah I don't know why he chose the conference but I guess some people don't mind at all.

Comment #19

JWBlue — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:52:09 GMT

Winning at that young an age make the prize twice as nice.

Not sure why he decided to have a press conference. I wouldn't want that publicity.

Comment #18

Todd — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:46:04 GMT

My sources were wrong. I watched the video on the Lottery Post story again, and he said he picked 'em. Sorry for the confusion.

Comment #17

Todd — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:45:25 GMT

Yeah, that's the same video that is available on this news story at Lottery Post.

Yes, he chooses the numbers, the news sources were wrong.

Comment #16

CowboysFan — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:43:33 GMT

I was a little confused as well because I watched his press conference and he says every since he lived in San Diego he goes and pays $2 and he picks his own numbers. Todd has better connections then I do so I believe him.

Comment #15

Jack-C — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:41:55 GMT

Go to www.signonsandiego.com and watch the link with the video. He says there that he spends two bucks at a time and fills out his tickets at the 7-11 shortly before the draw. Using his own numbers. He said they all came together at one time

Comment #14

Todd — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:41:20 GMT

from MSNBC:

At a news conference Wednesday, Moitz explained that he played random numbers that just happened to match the winning combination, 2, 11, 19, 21, 34 and the Mega number 38 in Friday's draw.

Comment #13

Todd — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:38:59 GMT

I thought so too, but got confirmation from different outlets that they were random picks.

Comment #12

Jack-C — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:38:21 GMT

He picks his own numbers. Usually 2 plays at a time.

Comment #11

CowboysFan — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:36:16 GMT

I use to live about 5 minutes from where this guy won. Congrats to this guy and I wish him all the luck.

Comment #10

hearsetrax — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:34:23 GMT

hmmmph .....

Comment #9

Todd — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:34:19 GMT

Quick Picks

Comment #8

justxploring — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:31:38 GMT

Congrats to the winner. I just read that the first person in FL to come forward with a PB winner is 22 years old. He won $50,000 because he spent the extra $1 and got 4 out of 5 and the PB. Age doesn't matter to the lottery fairy. Unfortunately for me, the tooth fairy has an age limit.

Comment #7

Todd — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:29:22 GMT

Don't worry, plenty of people from all ages win. There are lots of stories posted in LP's news section about 20-somethings winning over the years.

If older folks tend to win more, it's purely a function of more older people playing the lottery. Same goes for male vs. female, area of the country, cities vs. suburbs vs. rural areas, etc. It's a very predictable fact that people who play more often win more often.

See the previous news story about the guy from Colorado for a great example of... [ More ]

Comment #6

psykomo — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:20:56 GMT

PLEASE lp :

hlp explan dis win 2 UR ?

favaront poster !

psykomo^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!

was D ##'s a QP?????????!

WAS it Hi$ Hi$ PICK'$$$!!

THANK'ssssssssssssss

Comment #5

dphillips — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:09:54 GMT

This is truly an inspiring story for any young lottery players who are feeling discouraged about winning: luck and patience are key ingredients. Yes, most older winners win because they probably play more regularly.

Comment #4

diamondpalace — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:56:06 GMT

Winning at 24 will leave many more years of great adventures

Comment #3

Stew12 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:52:16 GMT

That should work out well he studied finance in college. Congrats to him!

it always seems to be people who are middle-aged and older

Most likely because that's the bulk of the lottery players right there.

Comment #2

robmang — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:50:38 GMT

Having just turned 20 a couple months ago, it's good to hear when someone younger gets to win the jackpot, it always seems to be people who are middle-aged and older and already have most of what they want out of life, and don't desire to make much change. Not to say they don't deserve it by any stretch, it's just that I haven't seen a single story with anyone under 30-40 years of age hitting a jackpot until now. Cool story.

Comment #1

Todd — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:47:45 GMT

Congrats from one Jersey native to another.

24 year-old Calif. man claims lottery riches

Lottery Post — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:36:34 GMT

New Jersey native recently moved to San Diego

Includes video report

Updated: Jan. 8, 2008 at 7:47 p.m.

The $47 million winner of the Mega Millions lottery game was all smiles Wednesday afternoon when he claimed his winnings and was introduced at a news conference as Todd Moitz, California Lottery officials said.

Moitz, a 24-year-old former Farmer's Insurance agent, said he's overwhelmed by the news and hasn't yet decided what to do with the windfall.

He has elected the cash o... [ More ]