Dolton Man Went 2 Months Without Knowing He Was A Millionaire

DOLTON, IL – A longtime resident of Dolton and regular player of the Illinois Lottery went two months without realizing he won big. James Rucker is the $1,150,000 winner from the Friday, Aug. 4 evening drawing. He matched all five numbers - 03, 07, 10, 14, 17 - to win the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot.

But it wasn't until earlier this month that Rucker realized he became a millionaire that day. He told Lottery officials that he was double-checking some of his old tickets on the Illinois Lottery website while at home one night when he realized his Aug. 4 ticket was the lucky one.

"I was a millionaire for almost two months without knowing it!" he said.

Rucker, who with his wife plans to share the money with their children and grandson, used his regular numbers when he bought the winning ticket at Sibley Liquor Mart in Dolton.

"Choose your own numbers and stick with them," he said. "That's what worked for me."

Photo via Illinois Lottery