Published on: March 9, 2026, 04:55h.
Latest update: March 9, 2026, 04:55h.
- Ex-homeless Colorado resident scores $1 million scratch-off at Walmart
- Lottery ticket bought on a challenging workday transforms his future
- Another tale of $1 million win from a long-term homeless individual
Not too long ago, Jonathan G. found himself in a shelter, striving for stability after enduring homelessness and joblessness. Today, he is a millionaire.
Jonathan laid down $20 for a ticket from the Colorado Lottery’s “200X” scratch-off game at a Walmart Supercenter in his city – and struck gold.
Hailing from Alamosa, Colo., Jonathan turned his life around after landing a position as a cellphone sales representative, but it was the lottery win that truly changed his destiny.
Defying the Odds
The chances of clinching that top prize are slim: approximately 1 in 840,000, as stated by the Colorado Lottery. However, the likelihood of winning any prize with the ticket is about 1 in 3.27, as officials quickly reminded.
The winning ticket was purchased during what Jonathan described as an exceptionally challenging day at work. Sales in his cellphone department were underwhelming when he opted to test his luck with the lottery.
Typically, Jonathan allocates just around $5 for scratch-off tickets and had never won more than $20. This time, however, he made the choice to invest in the more expensive $20 “200X” game – a decision that proved fortunate in retrospect.
“I certainly intend to provide my girlfriend and kids with a life that I never imagined possible,” Jonathan expressed. “A bit of hope, perseverance, and a stroke of luck will afford us a life we have been striving so hard to achieve.”
Well-Deserved Prize
In April of last year, a man who had faced homelessness on the streets of Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo (SLO), Calif., for many years shared a remarkably similar story.
Armando Vidal had been living on the streets since 2008 after an injury rendered him unable to work. His life took a significant turn for the better when he bought two $10 Triple Red 777 Scratchers in early April from Sandy’s Deli & Liquor in SLO.
Initially, Vidal believed he won only $200.
Store manager Wilson Samaan recounted: “He came to the store, scratched the ticket, and exclaimed, ‘Oh, my God. Is this real? Wilson, could you come take a look?’” Samaan shared with Cal Coastal News in April.
The store’s lottery scanner confirmed the ticket’s worth at $1 million.
“I told him, ‘Man, you hit the jackpot,’” Samaan said. “‘Is it $100,000?’ he asked, and I replied, ‘No, my friend. That’s $1 million. Congratulations!’ We celebrated with a high five.”
“He deserved every bit of it,” Samaan remarked to The San Francisco Chronicle. “He’s a good guy.”
Vidal expressed intentions to avoid the spotlight, use the funds for an apartment, and invest the rest for financial security.