There’s a saying that, “lightning doesn’t strike twice,” but what about luck? A story of unimaginable fortune unfolded in the small town of Attleborough, Massachusetts, where serendipity decided to pay a prolonged visit to one Christine Wilson—a woman who has managed to deftly shatter the adage by winning a $1 million scratch-off lottery prize not once, but twice, within an interval of less than 10 weeks.
In an extraordinary twist of fate, Wilson’s second visit to the Massachusetts Lottery Headquarters was to claim her second seven-figure prize. This remarkable occurrence was reported on Wednesday as the Massachusetts Lottery shared details in their latest press release.
The winning ticket that began Christine Wilson’s second round of celebrations was a $10 100X Cash ticket, bought from the Family Food Mart located in Mansfield. Following her stroke of luck, the convenience store was awarded a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket that led to Wilson’s winning moment.
This, however, was not the first time the establishment had reason to celebrate their customer’s fortune. On a winter day less than three months prior, on February 23, Wilson first experienced the life-changing thrill of winning when she became the inaugural $1 million prize winner on the $50 Lifetime Millions instant ticket game—a scratch-off launched earlier that month, promising players the tempting chance of $1 million a year for life. Opting for the immediate cash option, Wilson walked away with an impressive $650,000.
Her lucky purchase from that day was made at Dub’s Discount Liquors, another Mansfield store, which also received a $10,000 windfall for selling the fortunate ticket.
Post her initial win, Wilson shared with lottery officials her plans to buy a new SUV using a part of her newfound wealth—a plan she acted on following her first lottery success.
Upon her unexpected second win, Wilson expressed her intention to save these latest winnings, prudently thinking about her financial future. The double victor, already having acquired her dream vehicle, deemed her recent million-dollar ticket as a means to boost her savings, showcasing a shift toward financial security and responsibility.
The statistical likelihood of winning these lucrative prizes provides a perspective on just how extraordinary Wilson’s luck has been. The Massachusetts Lottery stated that the odds of winning the top prize of $4 million in the game she played the second time are 1 in 5,376,000. Meanwhile, the odds for the second top prize of $1 million that she had claimed on her most recent win are 1 in 1,612,800. The overall odds of any win are 1 in 3.47.
When it came to the Lifetime Millions game, the probability of striking the top prize of $1 million was an even more daunting 1 in 8,400,000, with overall odds of winning any prize being 1 in 4.10.
For those feeling lucky and inspired by Wilson’s story, scratch-off tickets are sold at local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, people can even purchase scratch-off tickets online.
An online option is available through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, which operates in several U.S. states and territories, including Massachusetts. The Jackpocket app lets users select their game, choose numbers, place orders, view tickets, and collect winnings, all from the comfort of their homes or mobile devices.
As with any form of gambling, it’s essential to play responsibly, with various resources available to help those with gambling problems find the support they need. Must be 18+ to play, or 21+ in some areas.
Christine Wilson’s story is indeed a testament to the extraordinary, and though such luck is rare, her tale gives a glimpse into the dreams that lotteries are built upon. It’s a reminder that sometimes, against all odds, lightning—or in this case, luck—can indeed strike the same place twice.
