The 25-year active-duty soldier had budgeted $100 for his inaugural online lottery session and walked away with more than $1.3 million.
PITTSBURGH — Talk about beginner’s luck.
A Pennsylvania man struck it rich May 30, winning a whopping $1,351,472 playing the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Jackpot Spectacular online game on the very same day he created his account.
“My wife always says I have good luck,” Christopher Lehman said during Monday’s check presentation at the lottery’s Pittsburgh area office. The 25-year active-duty Army soldier had budgeted $100 for his inaugural online lottery session, figuring he had nothing to lose.
“The bonus popped up and I couldn’t believe it,” Lehman said. “I just stared at it for a second. My wife didn’t believe it either.”
The disbelief was so strong that they called the lottery office together, putting the phone on speaker so both could confirm the life-changing news was real.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The couple had just moved to Pennsylvania from New Hampshire about a month earlier, where Lehman had enjoyed playing lottery games online. He decided to try his luck in his new home state after eyeing the progressive jackpot.
“I looked at the progressive prize amount for Jackpot Spectacular and thought, ‘That one’s about to pop soon,'” he said.
Progressive lottery prizes grow until someone wins, and Lehman’s instincts proved correct.
The couple plans to use their windfall to pay off their mortgage and car loan before investing the remainder. But they also have something extra special to celebrate: their youngest daughter graduated from Army basic training June 12. Lehman said he very proud and excited to travel to celebrate her accomplishment, according to the lottery announcement.
Jackpot Spectacular is a multi-state progressive game that offers players chances to reveal multipliers up to 50 times their bet, unlock free games and activate bonus rounds.
Pennsylvania launched online lottery games in May 2018. The state is one of 13 that sell lottery products online.