Florida resident Stephen Munoz Espinoza won $1 million from a scratch-off ticket after someone cut the line in front of him at a lottery machine in a Delray Beach grocery store.
Espinoza told lottery officials that the big win was still hard to comprehend, per a Jan. 25 press release.
The 43-year-old explained that after a long day of work, he bought a “500X The Cash” scratch-off ticket at a Publix Super Market.
“It was the end of a long day, and I was tired. I stopped at Publix and was about to buy a ticket at the machine when a man cut right in front of me,” Espinoza said.
“Instead of saying something, I decided I’d just buy a ticket at the counter instead,” he added.
Officials said Espinoza decided to receive his winnings as a one-time payment of $820,000.
The retailer where he bought the ticket, which is located on Northeast 5th Avenue in Delray Beach, will also receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket, according to the release.
When asked what he’s planning to do with the money, Espinoza said he hopes to buy a new home for his family.
“I can’t believe I won a million dollars!” Espinoza told lottery officials when he went to claim the money on Jan. 25 at Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee, Florida.
Espinoza bought the scratch-off ticket for $50. The game features a $25 million top prize—which is the largest-ever prize offered on a scratch-off game in the state.
“If you think patience doesn’t pay off, … find out how Stephen Espinoza … managed to keep his cool and stroll out of Publix—a gentleman and a millionaire!” Florida Lottery said on Twitter, along with a photo of Espinoza and his wife.
Delray Beach is a small city that is part of the Miami metropolitan area located on the state’s southeast coast.
