Man Waited Week To Check Lotto Ticket. Turns Out, He Won $1M

A South Jersey man was a millionaire for about a week and didn’t even know it. Now he's planning his retirement and a fun life for his grandchildren thanks to a scenario that nearly didn't play out at all.

Bruce Schaffer, of Marlton, picked up a Mega Millions Jackpot ticket for the $500 million drawing that took place on July 24 on a whim, New Jersey Lottery officials announced on Tuesday, Sept. 11. When he heard no one hit the jackpot, he didn’t even bother to check his numbers.

So for the next five days, Schaffer went about his daily life without realizing the fortune that was sitting in his wallet. When he finally did take a second look at his ticket, he came to a startling realization: the ticket he had bought at Winslow Citgo on 172 Route 73, Braddock in Camden County, was worth $1 million.

Yes, one of the $10 worth of tickets he had bought matched all five white balls that had been drawn in the July 24 drawing. He had missed out on only the Gold Mega Ball.

That was the end of his waiting. He immediately made his way to the New Jersey Lottery Headquarters in Lawrenceville to validate his winning ticket.

Now, Schaffer tells the Lottery he is planning his retirement. Perhaps more importantly, he’s setting aside some of that money to spoil his grandchildren.

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