Forgotten lottery ticket inspires picks that win $1 million in Aurora

Numbers on a losing Powerball ticket tucked away in a drawer became the inspiration for a $1 million win for a player who recently bought a ticket in Aurora.

“I usually play Lotto, but this time I found an old Powerball ticket in the drawer and figured I’d give those numbers another try,” the winner said in a press release. “The jackpot was so high — over a billion dollars! I figured I wouldn’t get too many chances at that kind of money.”

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased the winning ticket at Joe’s Tobacco and Vape & Phone Repair Shop at 1945 W. Galena Blvd. in Aurora. The ticket matched all five numbers — 3-16-29-61-69 — in the Sept. 3 Powerball drawing to win the $1,000,000 prize.

For selling the winning ticket, the retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus, 1% of the prize amount.

A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion dating back to the 1960s, the winner said he plans to use the prize money to purchase a new car and share gifts with loved ones.

Eight Illinois Lottery players have won prizes of $1 million or more with Powerball so far this year.