I didn’t even need to buy a ticket and I won $5.7 million playing a ‘Bonus’ lottery game – it happened in an instant

A LOTTERY player recently won a life-changing amount of money in a Banker’s Bonus game.

The Virginia woman secured her $5.7 million prize after dreaming of winning.

Phyllis Grant of Newport News — about 25 miles southeast of Norfolk, Virginia — was getting dressed for the day she won a lottery prize.

“I was alone,” she told lottery officials.

“I was just in shock!”

She scored a lot after dreaming about her good fortune.

“A few years ago, I dreamed I had won millions,” Grant said.

She won the jackpot prize of $5,794,332 in the Virginia Lottery’s Banker’s Bonus game.

The online game has virtual tickets starting at just 10 cents.

It is one of many online instant games available to play on the Virginia Lottery app and website.

Banker’s Bonus is a Mega Money Jackpot game played in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

It features a progressive and rising jackpot and has odds of winning of one in 3.9.

LOTTO MONEY

Another lucky player from Virginia won a top prize of $500,000.

Russell Gomes of South Boston — 120 miles southwest of Richmond — stopped at a Food Lion to buy chicken on his way home from work.

While at the supermarket, the truck driver purchased a Magnificent 7s scratch card.

He scratched off the ticket in the parking lot and realized he had won half a million dollars.

Top US Lottery Winners

Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.

• Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, November 8, 2022, in California.
• Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, October 11, 2023, California.
• Unknown Winner – $1.602 Billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023, Florida.
• Marvin and Mae Acosta of Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016.
• Unknown Winner – $1.537 Billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
• Winner unknown – he sued his child’s mother to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, January 13, 2023, from Maine.
• Unknown Winner – $1.337 Billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
• Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
• Yanira Álvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
• Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 Billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021, from Michigan.
• Winner unknown – $842.4 million Powerball, January 1, 2024, from Michigan.

“I really didn’t believe it!” he told lottery officials.

“It’s great!”

The winner said he had no immediate plans for the prize money other than to pay for a previously planned vacation.

If you hope to one day win the lottery, check your tickets as several prizes are up for grabs.

A $4.25 million lottery prize remains unclaimed.

Plus, it’s the last day to claim a $440,000 prize.

Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible player is someone who:

• Set time and monetary limits before playing
• Only games with money they can lose
• Never chase your losses
• Don’t play if you are upset, irritated or depressed

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.