Here's how a town named Luck got someone a $15 million Megabucks lottery win
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Has the town of Luck, Wisconsin ever proven its name and struck it rich with a lottery win? We decided to find out.
It's a quiet place, not where you'd expect to find a big jackpot winner. But sometimes, even in the least expected places, luck can strike.
And in Luck, that's exactly what happened.
Luck, Wisconsin, is a place where everybody knows your name. The usual tranquility was stirred by an exciting announcement early this year.
The Wisconsin Lottery confirmed that a single ticket matched all six numbers in the January Megabucks drawing.
The prize? A life-changing sum of $15.1 million.
The ticket that clinched the jackpot was purchased at Wayne's Food Plus on Butternut Avenue. This local store has found itself at the heart of this good news story.
Luck, with its modest population of just over 1,100 people, is buzzing with curiosity and excitement.
Paul Wondra, the store manager, recalled the moment he discovered the win.
"Thursday morning, when I come in and run my morning reports and get your lottery report — it shows 'Congrats to Wayne's foods in Luck, Wi, for selling a 15-million-dollar megabucks ticket,'" he told CBS Minnesota with a hint of humor in his voice.
Despite the excitement, he couldn't claim the fortune himself, adding, "I was looking for my ticket, but I didn't have one."
The identity of the new millionaire was Mark Cunningham who picked up his check at the lottery office in Madison.
“Dreams do really come true,” said Cunningham. The winner also had a $2 winning ticket for the same draw.
Details about Mark’s plans post-win were not widely known, but his win has certainly put Luck, Wisconsin, on the map for lottery enthusiasts.
Since news of the win broke out, Wayne's Food Plus has seen a significant uptick in customers.
People from all over were stopping by, hoping that some of the store's newfound luck would rub off on them.
- Select Numbers: Choose six different numbers from 1 to 49. The minimum play is two panels for $1.
- Place Wagers: You can either ask for a QUICK PICK or use the Megabucks playslip, available at Wisconsin Lottery retailers.
- Draws: Decide how many draws to play. Each set of two plays costs $1 per draw, and you can play up to 8 draws (4 weeks) in advance.
- EZ Match: For an additional $1 per set of two plays, select the EZ Match feature for a chance to win instantly. The terminal will pick the EZ Match numbers, which will be printed on a separate ticket.
- Playslip: Double-check your playslip before handing it to the retailer as tickets cannot be canceled.
- Complete Transaction: Hand over the completed playslip and the required cash to the retailer.
- Safeguard Ticket: Once you receive your ticket, sign it and keep it safe since it's needed to claim any prize.
Wondra shared his experience of the sudden surge in business. "We said well, get ready, it's going to be a crazy day, and they weren't lying," he said.
According to him, lottery officials had a prediction that's proven true: "Now you're going to be that mecca. You sold a big ticket, you're going to be the place to go."
Wayne's Foods Plus got $100,000 for selling the winning ticket.
Wisconsin Lottery said that retailers who sell winning tickets over $599 receive a 2% Retailer Performance Program Winning Ticket Incentive up to $100,000.
For now, Luck holds its breath, and Wayne's Food Plus enjoys its status as the lucky landmark in this story of fortune and fate.
With Luck, it seems that anything is possible.
