Grandma Wins Life-Changing Lottery Prize Thanks to Gas Station Switch-Up

A woman in Illinois won a massive lottery prize after switching up her gas station lottery routine.

According to the Illinois Lottery, an anonymous woman — who chose to accept her $3 million prize under the pseudonym “Happy Grandma” — bought the winning ticket at BP Gas Station in Villa Park, located at 1 West St. Charles Road.

In a press release from lottery officials, the grandmother recalled purchasing a Super Bonus ticket for $30, which isn’t a game she normally plays.

“I usually buy the Crossword scratch-off, but something told me to try something different this time,” she shared. “When I saw the $3 million top prize on the Super Bonus ticket, I just knew it was meant to be. It felt like divine intervention.”

According to the woman, she took her ticket home and waited for her family to gather around before scratching off the ticket to reveal the winning numbers — and she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“At first, I thought I’d just won my money back,” she recalled. “But as I scratched more, I realized I had won the jackpot!”

Still in disbelief, Happy Grandma handed the ticket to her husband so that he could confirm that what she was seeing was correct.

“I asked him, ‘Am I hallucinating?’ ” she said with a laugh. “Then we scanned the ticket with my phone to double-check, and that’s when we really lost it. We screamed and screamed—it was like we were in shock for a while!”

The woman shared that she’s already made plans for what she’ll do with her winnings — and the money couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It’s like a miracle,” she shared. “A portion of my winnings will help support my son, and I’m already planning for home improvements, holiday gifts, and a cruise for the grandkids.”

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For selling the winning ticket, the BP Gas Station in Villa Park, located on the city’s West St. Charles Road, is set receive a bonus of one percent of the prize amount, or $30,000.

According to the Illinois Lottery, players over age 18 can purchase a range of holiday-themed Instant Ticket games this year, ranging in price from $1 to $20. Tickets are available at nearly 7,000 retail locations across the state.

As for the anonymous grandmother, her $3 million winnings are going to make the 2025 holiday season one to remember.

“This season is going to be one for the books—full of celebrations and a few spa appointments!” she told lottery officials with a laugh.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, please contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700 or go to gamtalk.org.