Jackpot: America’s lottery blog

I play the lottery every day. As part of my job, I also talk to lottery winners every day from around the country. But when I run across a story like this I have to shake my head. Some people are just plain old blessed. How else to describe someone who wins a million dollars TWICE, playing scratch games?

By the way, if you have any stories (must be verifiable) of multiple winners you know of, or in your family, let me know. Get me good information, and I’ll send you a free copy of my book on lottery winners.

OK, the odds were 1 in 3,669,120,000,000 that the New York deli worker who won $1 million from a state lottery game four years ago would win another $1 million in the lottery a month ago.

But that’s exactly what she did.

“The first time I couldn’t believe it,” Valerie Wilson reportedly told Newsday, the Long Island newspaper of record. “This time I said, ‘God’s on my side.’ “

Now, I don’t know if God pays off our faith with lottery winnings. I am a man of faith, and I’ve never won a thing.

But, regardless of Ms. Wilson’s religious beliefs, she’s won twice.

Mind you, this is one unassuming millionaire winner.

“I like playing” is what she said, when asked why she continued to play after winning the original million. And now after her second win, Wilson will have sort of a salary to gamble — her latest windfall will be paid out in $50,000 annual installments.

And, the 54-year-old employee of Emma’s Deli and Catering claims she will continue to work, at least for a while, despite now being a multimillionaire.

“Wilson plans to keep working until at least December, making sandwiches and ringing up sales,” the Associated Press story said.

NO WINNERS IN EITHER MEGA MILLIONS OR POWERBALL THIS WEEK. BUT, DID YOU NOTICE THAT THE LAST THREE POWER BALLS DRAWN WERE 1, 2, AND 3? COULD “4” BE NEXT? AND WHAT ARE THE ODDS ARE 1,2, AND 3 BEING DRAWN CONSECUTIVELY. [LET ME KNOW, MATH MAJORS…]

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.