Johnston City, Illinois, retiree Holly accidentally bought a $20 ticket and won $250,000, with plans for a new family home and baby grand piano.
A retired teacher from Johnston City, Illinois, is planning a new family home and a baby grand piano after an accidental purchase turned into a $250,000 FastPlay jackpot.
Holly said she had intended to purchase a $2 Booming Bucks ticket while watching a movie, but accidentally selected the $20 Magnificent Multiplier instead.
“I meant to buy the $2 Booming Bucks,” Holly said with a laugh. “I was watching a movie and accidentally selected the $20 ticket.”
She immediately regretted the mistake, recalling her reaction at spending more than she intended.
“Oh shoot! I didn’t want to spend that much,” she remembered thinking.
The unexpected purchase became considerably more significant when Holly discovered that it had won the $250,000 jackpot. She was sitting at her desk in her home office when she saw what had happened.
“I honestly thought my computer had crashed!” she said.
Holly then went to tell her husband, although he initially misunderstood why she was calling him over. Before she could even show him the ticket, he asked, “It’s so late—did you make a meme?”
“No silly—I won the jackpot!” Holly replied.
The unexpected windfall has given the Johnston City resident plans for the future. Holly said she intends to use the money to build a new family home and purchase a baby grand piano, allowing her to further pursue her passion for music.
What began as an accidental selection of a $20 ticket instead of the $2 purchase she intended ultimately resulted in a $250,000 prize and plans for a new chapter for the Southern Illinois retiree.
