After winning $1 million from a California Lottery scratch ticket, a homeless man in San Luis Obispo revealed that he’s spending the money on something he just “can’t wait” to do.
On the evening of April 6, Armando Vidal walked into Sandy’s Liquor with just $25 and bought two Triple Red 777 scratchers for $10 each, along with a few smaller tickets.
While spending $25 on lottery tickets was risky – California Lottery explains on its website that there’s a 1 in 2.047 million chance of snagging the top prize of $1 million and a 1 in 2.92 chance of winning a prize – it turned out to be a life-changing buy for the homeless man.
Scratcher
According to store manager Wilson Samaan, the man scratched one of the 777 tickets on the spot and instantly won $200, which the cashier promptly handed over in cash, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reports.
Vidal didn’t check the last ticket until the next morning while Samaan was working behind the counter.
“And he’s like, ‘Oh my God, come take a look at this. Is that true?’” Samaan told the outlet. “I’m like, ‘Let me see.’ So, I grabbed the ticket out of his hand, and I put it to the machine, and I’m like ‘Oh my God!’”
Jackpot
“Bro, you hit the jackpot,” he told the man as they exchanged a high five.
At first, the man believed he had scored $100,000 – a staggering win on its own – but then Samaan pointed out there was one more zero at the end.
Vidal had won a jaw-dropping $1 million jackpot that would change everything in an instant.
“Big congrats to our loyal customer on his $1 million jackpot winning scratch ticket at Sandy’s,” the store shared in an Instagram post on April 11.
Friends in the neighborhood
Though homeless, Vidal is well-known in the area and has developed a close relationship with Samaan over the years. At one point, Samaan even offered him a job at the store. However, the man declined due to a chronic knee issue that prevented him from doing manual labor such as restocking shelves.
Samaan said he often trusted the man to watch the store while he handled other tasks – a testament to the character and reliability of the winner.
‘Trustful person’
“He’s a good, trustful person,” Samaan told the LA Times of his “loyal customer.”
And, after discovering the win, Vidal initially considered mailing the ticket to the California Lottery. Instead, the manager offered to personally drive his friend to the nearest lottery office in Fresno to ensure the ticket’s safe delivery.
“I was so excited – even more than him,” Samaan said. “He’s a good person, he deserves every penny… I was very excited it happened to a person who deserved it, and he actually needed it.”
‘Can’t wait to get off the streets’
Meanwhile, another local store owner congratulated Vidal on his well-deserved win.
Adam Kemp, owner of the Thrifty Beaches store in downtown San Luis Obispo shared an Instagram post on April 12 that shows him speaking with his pal, who along with his wife have been living on the streets “for a long time.”
Kemp captioned the post: “Too good not to post. This is crazy. This man and his wife have been on the street for a long time. They have been nice to me & Maria. I’m so happy for the both of them! you never know when it’s your day to win big in life!”
“My friend here just won $1 million in the lottery in SLO,” Kemp said in the clip as he pans to a man with a bushy beard who’s holding up the winning 777 ticket.
Vidal replied: “I won $1 million here in SLO at Sandy’s Liquor store. I just can’t wait to get off the streets.”
Second chance
According to the LA Times, the winner reportedly told Samaan that he plans to use the money to purchase a small home and a car, with intentions to invest the remainder or start a business.
“He said he’s not going to waste the second chance he got gifted, so he’s gonna buy a car and a small house. Then the rest of the money, he’s going to invest or find a business,” Samaan said.
“He said he’s not going to waste the second chance he got gifted,” Samaan noted.
While California’s housing crisis continues to impact thousands, this unexpected windfall offers a rare story of hope – a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant.
For one man in San Luis Obispo, the path from homelessness to stability may finally be within reach.
Please let us know what you think of this inspiring story and then share it with others so we can hear from them!
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