An unhoused man in California struck luck by winning $1 million from a lottery ticket bought at Sandy’s Deli-Liquor on the state’s central coast. The winner, who remains unidentified, had been a loyal customer at the store for years. Upon realizing his win, he expressed disbelief, exclaiming, “Man, I’m not homeless anymore!” The store manager, Wilson Samaan, recounted the moment when the man discovered his fortune and clarified that the prize was indeed $1 million, not $100,000 as initially thought.

Samaan went above and beyond by driving the man, who lacked transportation, to Fresno to claim his prize in person. The fortunate winner described the windfall as “life-changing” and shared plans to use the money for a home down payment and a car. In a video shared by a local business owner, the man joyfully announced his win and expressed eagerness to leave the streets behind.

The man’s stroke of luck came from a Triple Red 777 scratcher, with odds of winning $1 million at 1 in 2,047,423, according to the California Lottery. While lottery officials are unable to disclose details until the claim is verified, they process thousands of claims monthly, with over 100 $1 million or larger prizes awarded yearly. This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of life’s unpredictable turns and the transformative impact a single moment of fortune can have on someone’s life.