Lottery player gives California scratch-off a try — and wins big. ‘What do you know?’

When San Saelee stopped for gas at a Circle 7 in Tulare, he decided to buy a $10 Scratchers ticket on a whim, California Lottery officials said.

“I thought I’d try a lottery ticket, and what do you know? I won a million dollars,” Saelee said in a Nov. 2 news release by the lottery.

He won the top prize in the California Road Trip Riches game, officials said.

Despite his million-dollar jackpot, Saelee plans to keep playing since lottery proceeds benefit California schools.

“It’s good to know I’m contributing to something good for kids,” Saelee said. “More people should buy lottery tickets. I’ll keep playing now and then.”

The Circle 7 owner will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, lottery officials said.

This story was originally published November 6, 2023 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Lottery player gives California scratch-off a try — and wins big. ‘What do you know?’."