Imagine striking gold on a scratch-off lottery ticket without even scratching it! That’s exactly what happened to one incredibly fortunate woman who scooped up the jackpot in the most unconventional way.
Cornelia Treichel-Rocque from Sacramento, California found herself as one of the trio of winners for the Cloud 9 scratch ticket, according to an October 2023 press release.
Cornelia, who bought her lucky ticket at Raley’s on South Lower Sacramento Road in Lodi, San Joaquin County, is now living the millionaire dream.
Here’s the twist in her tale: “It’s funny, and this is also going to sound weird, but I bought that game because I liked the way it looked. I buy the ones that catch my eye, and I don’t scratch them. Hey, what can I say, I’ve worked hard to get all my little quirks!” she revealed.
While many would scratch the ticket on the spot, Cornelia prefers a different approach. She told the California Lottery: “I don’t scratch them. I scan them. It’s just quicker that way. And that’s how I found out I won.”
She utilizes scanning devices available at over 23,000 California Lottery retail partner locations.
At first, she couldn’t believe her luck and scanned her ticket not once, not twice, but three times to make sure she was really seeing things right.
“I checked it three times. Twice one day and then I went back to Raley’s the next day and checked it again,” she shared.
Despite her newfound wealth, Cornelia says she’s not quitting the Scratchers game anytime soon. “The one I’m playing now is purple. That’s my favorite color and no I’m not scratching it,” she joked about her latest game obsession.
While Cornelia’s method might be unique, some lottery winners have struck gold more than once.
The California Lottery revealed that Jaime Medrano also bagged a $1 million top prize from the same Cloud 9 Scratchers game, with his lucky purchase at the Vons on Woodruff Avenue in Lakewood, Los Angeles County.
The Cloud 9 scratch-off, which costs $10 per game, requires players to match any of “your numbers” to the winning numbers to win the corresponding prize.
According to the official California Lottery website for the game, only two of the twelve $1 million top prizes have been claimed so far.
Remember, if you’re going to gamble, do it responsibly. For guidance, support, and advice on problem gambling, please call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, available 24/7.