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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Emma Henderson

Rodney Meadows: Man wins $10m on lottery scratch card minutes after winning $1,000

A Californian man won $1,000 (£660) on a lottery scratch card - before buying another three and scooping $10m (£6.6m) moments later.

Rodney Meadows, of Modesto, said he initially bought one of the $30 California Lottery 30th anniversary scratch cards from his local Fast Mart shop.

After the first win, Mr Meadows said he decided to “let it ride” and bought another three tickets for $90.

Speaking to CNN, shop manager Lakhbir Singh said: “It’s unbelievable.

“He went outside, scratched it and came back with the $1,000."

Mr Meadows said: “First off, I could not believe it.

“I had to ask the clerk at the store, and he said, ‘You better check it again at the machine.’”

Mr Singh said Mr Meadows was one of a handful of regulars who typically bought four or five of the tickets a week.

Regular customer Joseph Trancoso said: “Someone else came and bought three, so he [Meadows] bought the last three and the third one.

“I said to [Meadows], ‘I knew you were going to do it’. He plays compulsively every day. It couldn’t happen to a better guy.”

Mr Meadows said he had not yet decided what he will be doing with his winnings.

The shop is now thought by some to be lucky and has since been inundated with hopeful customers, having also sold tickets that won customers $25,000 last month and $30,000 last year.

According to California Lottery officials, Mr Meadows is one of just four people to ever win $10m on a 30th Anniversary ticket.

The Fast Mart will receive a bonus of $50,000 for selling the lucky ticket. 

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